HomeMy WebLinkAboutRegular Commission Meeting July 15, 2014
REGULAR MEETING COMMISSION CHAMBER
JULY 15, 2014
Augusta Richmond County Commission convened at 2:00 p.m., July 15, 2014, the Hon.
Deke Copenhaver, Mayor, presiding.
PRESENT: Hons. Guilfoyle, Mason, D. Smith, Williams, Fennoy, Jackson, Davis, G.
Smith, members of Augusta Richmond County Commission.
ABSENT: Hons. Lockett and Johnson, members of Augusta Richmond County
Commission.
Ms. Cindy Holland: --- and I’m happy to announce today our Years of Service recipients
for those with twenty-five to fifty years of service. We actually have a total of nine, three of
which are with us this afternoon. Richard Bigham with RCCI, 25 years of service.
(APPLAUSE) Terry Bruggish from Tax Assessors Office 25 years of service. (APPLAUSE)
And Roger Smith with The Augusta Regional Airport with 30 years of service. (APPLAUSE)
And one more round of applause for our Years of Service recipients. (APPLAUSE)
Mr. Mayor: As we now have a quorum I’ll go ahead and call the meeting to order. I’d
like to call on Reverend Cutler, Pastor of United One Way Baptist Church for our invocation.
Please stand.
The invocation was given by the Reverend Arthur Cutler, Pastor United One Way Baptist
Church.
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America was recited.
Mr. Mayor: Pastor, if you could please come forward I have something for you and
thank you for that wonderful invocation. Office of the Mayor. By these present be it known that
Reverend Arthur Cutler, Pastor of United One Way Baptist Church is Chaplain of the Day. For
his civic and spiritual guidance demonstrated throughout the community serves as an example
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for all of the faith community. Given under my hand this 15 Day of July 2014. Deke
Copenhaver, Mayor. (APPLAUSE) Madam Clerk, on to the recognitions.
The Clerk:
RECOGNITION(S)
Employee of the Month
A. Mr. Reggie Horne, Client Support Services Manager for the Information Technology
Department, July 214 Employee of the Month.
The Clerk: And if Mr. Horne can come forward with members of his department
(applause) and I’ll read the, and I will read the accolade. The Employee Recognition Committee
has selected Reggie Horne as the July 2014 Employee of the Month for Augusta, Georgia. Mr.
Horne is the Client Support Services Manager for the Information Technology Department
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where he has been employed since December of 2007. He was nominated by Michael
Blanchard. Reggie Horne has been the key person responsible for the implementation of the
New World Systems Microsoft produce at the Richmond County Sheriff’s office the Emergency
911 Center and other city departments. The project progressed over nearly two years and
required an extremely high degree of dedication, extensive system knowledge and sheer
determination in order to accomplish the goal of a “system go live” in May of 2014. Reggie
exhibited all of those qualities in pushing the project to completion even after he was promoted
to an IT position with different duties. During the system implementation Mr. Horne personally
taught classes to personnel and worked actively in the field installing software and training
deputies. He is highly respected by his colleagues and customers particularly in the Sheriff’s
office. As a fierce and avid advocate for the Richmond County Sheriff’s office personnel he
stayed downtown during the winter ice storm and worked many late nights and early mornings.
The work that Reggie Horne has done on the New World Project will result in more life saving
information being placed in the hands of the 911 employees and deputies throughout the county.
His expertise and commitment are matched only by his dedicated to his customers. The
Employee Recognition Committee felt that based on this nomination and Reggie’s outstanding
service we would appreciate you in joining us in recognizing him as the July 2014 Employee of
the Month. (APPLAUSE)
Mr. Mayor: You’re like a rock star, man. And I’ve got a letter for you but I just want to
thank you, Reggie, for your exemplary work and particularly during the ice storm. That was
amazing it was all hands on deck and you were a prime example of that. July 2014 Employee of
the Month, Mr. Reggie Horne, Client Support Services Manager, Information Technology
Department. Dear Mr. Horne on behalf of the City of Augusta it is with great pleasure that I
congratulate you for being recognized as Employee of the Month for the July 2014. Your
contribution to your organization Augusta Richmond County Government and the citizens of
Augusta has earned you this recognition. I appreciate your willingness to go above and beyond
the call of duty and your outstanding work ethic. You are truly an asset to the Information
Technology Department and the citizens of Augusta Georgia. Please accept my personal
congratulations of this wonderful award, you are truly deserving of this recognition. Sincerely
yours, Deke Copenhaver, Mayor. (APPLAUSE).
Ms. Allen: I’m not sure if there’s anything else I can add to it. When you see the
Sheriff’s deputies and the Sheriff’s major top administration stand up and give him a hand you
can tell just what kind of work Reggie has done for the city of Augusta. As many of you have
heard me say before I’m so very fortunate to have work with the Information Technology staff
because they’re all a great group of dedicated people. And Reggie is especially one of those
people. He never complains and does whatever it takes to make sure that our customers are
happy. And when you make people that carry guns happy you have done, you’ve accomplished
a lot. But he keeps them happy and he keeps things going. He holds our vendors accountable
for making sure they deliver the products that our customers are looking for. So I want to thank
Reggie for doing such a great job and being such a great representative not only for the
Information Technology Department but a great representative for the city of Augusta because
that is what he truly is. Thank you, Reggie. (APPLAUSE).
Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, on to the delegations please.
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The Clerk:
DELEGATIONS
B. Ms. Alvera Harvey regarding the Richmond County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD)
Taser Policy.
Mr. Mayor: And if you could keep it to five minutes, please, ma’am.
Ms. Harvey: Yes, sir. Good afternoon to everybody. First, thank ya’ll for allowing me
to come in and speak to ya’ll this afternoon. Many of you are already aware of the situation
surrounding my brother that was tased last year by Richmond County deputies and died. So we
have a few questions that we have not been able to get answered and hopefully, we’re hoping
that you’ll be able to get those answers for us. My main question is what is the Richmond
County Sheriff’s Department’s policy on dealing with someone who may be experiencing
diminished capacity? Those of you who may not know diminished capacity even though the
person may not be insane he was suffering from some type of diminished mental capacity stress
at that time. It may have been diminished by stress, trauma, mental distress, intoxication as in
my brother’s case was under the influence of drugs. He does not possess the specific mental
state or intent essential to a particular offense or act. Diminished capacity is recognized as a very
viable and legal defense. My brother was unarmed and tased five times and died. Would
Richmond County Sheriff’s Department have shot someone under these circumstances if the
person was unarmed? We need Richmond County to look beyond the fact that we was under the
influence of intoxicants and look toward the fact that the officer used undue just and
apprehended him and his actions led to my brother’s death. Also another question we need to
have answered is what is the process or guidelines that Richmond County uses for the grand jury
proceedings and how would the family members find out how a case was presented if there’s no
transcript of it. Meaning in our case if the witness actually testified it was all written up by the
DA and presented in her view of the events. On our conversation with the DA we were told by
her that we would be able to get a transcript of the proceedings that she presented to the grand
jury, however once we learned of the outcome of the grand jury hearing we were told that there
was no transcript. So we’re trying to figure out where was the, you know, what happened, is
there a transcript, you know, we just need to get some answers. And I feel like it’s being a
family we deserve some answers from somebody. Thank you.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you, ma’am. Commissioner Mason.
Mr. Mason: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Ms. Harvey, you just stand there for a second there.
As the Public Safety Chairman you brought up some concerns that and you’ve made a request of
I guess you’re requesting this body to assist in answering those questions. Is that what you just
asked?
Ms. Harvey: Yes, sir.
Mr. Mason: Have you spoken with anyone at the Sheriff’s Department in terms of trying
to get those particular answers?
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Ms. Harvey: We have tried to speak with someone in the Sheriff’s Department but we’ve
told that because it’s in litigation they’re not going to tell us anything. But we never received
any answers or any comments, any concerns from the Richmond County Sheriff’s Department
from day one.
Mr. Mason: Mr. Mayor, I’d like to find out from our General Counsel what based on the
questions that have been asked, the severity of the situation, and the authority or perhaps lack
thereof of this Commission what if anything can we do in terms of trying to help get answers to
the questions that have been asked for the Harvey family.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. MacKenzie.
Mr. MacKenzie: Sure, thank you, Commissioner Mason. First, I think she did reference
it is a matter of pending potential litigation. As you know elected officials have their, can select
their own attorney. In this instance the Sheriff has his own counsel, it’s my understanding is
working on this particular case. It’s for that reason and also the reason that this governing body
doesn’t have any supervisory control with respect to the actions of the Sheriff that I would
recommend that there’s a limited role that this body can play with respect to any activity that
occurs within the Sheriff’s office.
Mr. Mason: Okay, if I could continue, Mr. Mayor. What’s the limit? You said a limited,
so how limited? What are you speaking of specifically? What can we do, what can’t we do.
Mr. MacKenzie: Well, obviously if this body saw some activity they felt was somehow
improper then you could use your political influence on the board to make statements to that
nature. With a specific case like this where specific allegations are made, often the course of
action is to let the litigation process run its course and see what the result of that is. And then
any information that comes as a result of that is certainly something that the board could consider
as well.
Mr. Mason: Okay, I understand it from that perspective but a question that was asked I
think is a generic question. I think we all would probably want to know what the, I think your
number one question was what was the taser policy of the Richmond County Sheriff’s
Department.
Ms. Harvey: Yes, you know, regarding someone who may be under diminished capacity
at the time, who may not be in his right mind or what we consider to be in his right mind do it
could be to him having some type of psychological mental illness at the time or be it alcohol or
drugs. Either way your mind is not functioning in the way that it would normally function that
we, you and I would normally function. So given that set of circumstances and that person is not
really responsible for his or her own actions, how do you handle a person in that situation? And
this situation my brother died and we, you know, no one else needs to you know fall victim to
that.
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Mr. Mason: Would that be a question that would be appropriate to try to ascertain an
answer to?
Mr. MacKenzie: If she’s looking for just a written policy, that’s something that can be
obtained through the Open Records Act. Any other specific inquiries would probably have to go
through counsel for the Sheriff.
Mr. Mason: Mr. Mayor, in all fairness and I see the Chief out there, I’m not sure if the
Sheriff is here. I don’t know if there’s anything you want to add or what you know to kind of
help us out up here especially from a Public Safety standpoint as the chairman.
Mr. Speaker: (inaudible).
Mr. Mason: Okay, so because that was a request from her, Mr. Mayor, and I would like
to at least get whatever we can do that we do as a body as far as getting whatever information be
it, now would that be something just so that we can be clear, is that something that that we would
request or is that, Mr. General Counsel, you’re saying that we could things under open records.
Who are we talking about doing an open record?
Mr. Mayor: Mr. MacKenzie.
Mr. MacKenzie: If she’d like to make a request directly to the Sheriff’s office, it’s a very
common request and they will respond accordingly in accordance with the Open Records Act.
Mr. Mason: Is that not an action this body can take?
Mr. MacKenzie: This body could make a request for an open record, but I think it would
probably be more efficient in this case to ask the applicant to do it. Or this body could request
that a copy of the policy be provided to her irrespective of the open records act.
Mr. Mason: Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Williams.
Mr. Williams: Mr. Mayor, I’d just like to know where the process is now since it’s in
legal. Like you said do anybody know I think this happened, how long ago? I mean what’s the
time frame we’re looking at on this?
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Ms. Harvey: It happened June 29 2013.
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Mr. Williams: June 29 and I’m just trying to get some clarity as to and I know legal
takes a different turn from anything else but it ought to be somewhere now either half way
through, just beginning or just ending. It ought to be somewhere so closure can come at one
point you know.
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Ms. Harvey: Well, what we were told Mr. Williams from Ms. Ashley Wright when we
spoke to her in May, she said that and we asked her, you know, the timeframe that she would be
trying to make her decision as to whether or not she would present it to the grand jury. Her
words to us were she was not even, she was inclined not to pass this forward to the grand jury
but under, you know, after speaking to my brother and myself she decided and my brother asked
her why not just present it to the grand jury and take it out of your own hands. And so later on
and then we asked her how long does it normally take for her to make her decision, she said a
year in this circumstance and that was already at the eleventh month point. When we did get the
information that it was passed to the grand jury and the grand jury decision we were not
officially notified as you would think because we were victims in this as well. We were not
notified by Richmond County. We were not notified by Ashley Wright. We were notified
through the media and to me that’s just a lack of being professionalism even though we
understand it being in litigation we’re still people, we’re still humans, human beings and if my
brother had died in the street getting shot by somebody someone would’ve been at our house
saying we’re sorry for your loss, we’re going to do everything we can to take care of this. So by
it being it happened at the hands of Richmond County does that mean that my feelings don’t
matter or I’m just, you know, oh well, it happened, it doesn’t matter and that’s the, even though
it may not be the stance that it wanted us to receive that’s the, that’s the feeling that we got.
Mr. Williams: I don’t think, I can’t speak for anybody else. We’ve got a bunch of
advocates for dogs for animals here today who’s saying stop the no killing and I’m sure people
are more concerned about a human life than they are the animals and I love mine but I’m
thinking that there ought to be at least some closure to as to what happened. I mean I don’t, I’m
not a part of that I just know what’s right and what’s wrong. And I’m thinking that somebody
should be saying something to whether we need to contact Ms. Ashley Wright to talk with her to
find out just where we are. And I do think someone should have addressed your family in a
proper way, you know, and this happened. I don’t think it was intentional but yet it still
happened.
Ms. Harvey: That was our stance, it wasn’t intentional. We know that full well but in the
carrying out of his duties it still happened. I work in a prison. We have people on, you know,
getting life sentences because their actions killed somebody accidentally. Not that they intended
to do it but they’re still doing time for it.
Mr. Williams: I understand. I just wish we could find some way of getting some
information because when it gets into legal hands and the lawyer’s sitting there, I wear that hat
some time but they don’t pay me very well to discuss that stuff.
Ms. Harvey: Yes, sir.
Mr. Williams: But anyway I sympathize with you and your family and I think that
someone should at least get to your family ---
Mr. Mayor: I’ll give you another two.
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Mr. Williams: --- to explain, Mr. Mayor, you can give me, well, that’s all I don’t need
another two. That’s all.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you.
Ms. Harvey: Thank you all.
Mr. Mason: Mr. Mayor ---
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Mason.
Mr. Mason
: --- I really don’t want to leave it just like that. A lot of time has passed by.
I think that at the very least and maybe we’ll be able to get it maybe quicker than you if I
I would like to request the Richmond County Sheriff’s
certainly as a Public Safety Chairman
office Taser Policy asapand I would like to put that in the form of a motion
at least that we
can get that piece to you because I don’t think that’s a point of contention in terms of litigation
issue if just asking for a policy. And perhaps that would at least assist in some way. I can’t give
you any comfort what’s already going down but certainly by now after a year’s time you
certainly should have the ability to know what the policy is. And now I’m not talking about
getting into specifics and intent and all this other stuff that’s not what I’m saying but a basic
understanding of the policy is something that you should be able to have as a citizen or any
citizen. And so I would like, as I said, to and General Counsel if that is not something as far as
overstepping my boundaries as a Public Safety Chairman just asking that this body request and
receive a copy of the through Open Records the Taser Policy of Richmond County’s Sheriff’s
Department.
Mr. MacKenzie: I think that would be perfectly appropriate and also the IT Department
has just informed me that the policy is available online as well. But we can make sure that all of
you get a copy as well as the lady that has spoken before you today.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, I have a motion that’s been made. Do we have a second?
Mr. Williams: I’ll second (inaudible).
Mr. Mayor: Do we have a second on that? Okay. Commissioner Fennoy.
Mr. Fennoy: What is as far as grand jury proceedings are concerned other than
something being a true bill or no bill. Is the recordings of that proceeding, is that public
information?
Mr. MacKenzie: I’m not going to answer that and the reason for that is I don’t do
criminal law ---
Mr. Fennoy: Okay.
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Mr. MacKenzie: --- and I can honestly tell you I do not know the answer to that question.
However there is an answer to the question and because this is pending and potential litigation I
can bring the information back to you as an update on the litigation aspect of the case which will
come through the Sheriff’s counsel.
Mr. Fennoy: Okay and this is information if that is public information and the family is
requesting that then I would like to see the family get a copy of what action or (inaudible) grand
jury proceedings also.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you, sir. We have a motion that’s been made and properly seconded.
If there’s no further discussion Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign.
Ms. Harvey: Thank you all.
Mr. Johnson, Ms. Davis, Mr. Lockett and Mr. Jackson out.
Motion Passes 6-0.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, Madam Clerk, next delegation please.
The Clerk:
DELEGATIONS
C. Ms. Bessie Taylor regarding water run-off and who’s responsibility for maintenance of
the area.
Mr. Mayor: Is Ms. Taylor here? Okay, Madam Clerk, on to the next delegation, please.
The Clerk:
DELEGATIONS
D. Mr. Jerry Harvey regarding Richmond County Sheriff’s Department use of the Taser
Weapon.
Mr. Mayor: And if you could keep it to five minutes, please, sir.
Mr. Harvey: Good afternoon, how are ya’ll doing? I’m just here just to say that we want
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to know and I speak on behalf of my family and my brother who was murdered on June 29
2013. I was just trying to find out who do we go to and find out if, we can’t get an answer from
the Sheriff’s Department about a taser that killed someone because we do have evidence and
proof of that. When will it stop or will this is something that you all would look to see this
courthouse being filled with people talking to you all about because, you know, we’ve got a
death certificate that says homicide. And the Sheriff that caused this action is back at work with
another taser back on duty and I’m just trying to find out how far or how many other people got
to get killed, well I’m just going by what the death certificate said homicide before someone
calls in because we’re not getting answers from the Sheriff’s Department or no one.
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Mr. Mayor: Okay and I’ll tell you, sir, and I appreciate your situation and I feel for you
and your family but I think that as the attorney was saying the Sheriff is a constitutional officer
so this body does not other than funds provided in the budget does not govern over the Sheriff
who is another constitutional officer and his department. So I just wanted to make that clear.
Commissioner Fennoy.
Mr. Fennoy: And, Mr. Harvey, I am truly sorry for your loss.
Mr. Harvey: Okay.
Mr. Fennoy: And trying to be as impartial as possible I would say that in the past when
deputies have done something that they wasn’t supposed to do, the Sheriff has taken a very
strong measure in corrective action. I know you’re not here to discuss particularly what
happened to your brother but something did happen and I feel reasonably assured that the
Sheriff’s Department and his investigators are doing a thorough job in making sure that policies
and procedures were followed and that there was no malice in what took place. We had a sixteen
year old that was running from the deputies and the deputy that apprehended him used excessive
force. And the Sheriff took immediate action against the deputy that was involved in that
particular situation. So I’m not sure, I don’t know what happened in your situation but I honestly
believe that if something wrong was done that the Sheriff will take corrective action to make sure
that that never happens again. You know when, I think the major main reason why the deputies
have tasers is so that it’s not as deadly as a gun. That’s why they use the tasers. Again I’m sorry
for your loss and be patient and see what the investigation from the Sheriff’s office produces.
And you and your family are in my prayers.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you, sir. Commissioner Mason.
Mr. Mason: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Harvey, I don’t think your question actually
has been answered and, you know, I’m all about patience but patience is not going to bring your
brother back. Unfortunately it’s an unfortunate situation. A lot of time has passed and from
what I can see and what I’m hearing there’s just legitimate questions are being asked and
answers are needed, one for closure for yourself and your family because even though this
happened over a year ago I still feel like you’re still slowly dying every day without knowledge
which is power therefore lack of it is lack of power and so knowledge it seems like what you
seek. What I heard you ask for was, was there any other jurisdiction or is there anything in terms
of this body be it the Commission as a whole, be it the Public Safety Committee or anything like
that that you could go to, to address some of your issues and so, Mr. Mayor, what I guess I need
to hear and perhaps help Mr. Harvey as well from our General Counsel is there any other thing
that can be done in terms of lending an ear or addressing the situation that we have in front of us?
I’m not talking necessarily about litigating the situation but maybe a third party just to hearing
what’s going on. Do we have any leeway through the Public Safety through the Commission as
a whole or whatever I think that was the question that was asked?
Mr. Mayor: Mr. MacKenzie.
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Mr. MacKenzie: Well, I think there’s really a twofold question. First I’ll offer this
advice to the family. Obviously this process has led to a lot of unanswered questions. Often
people choose to get an attorney and there’s often other agencies that will provide legal
assistance in scenarios where people can afford an attorney, that could be very helpful in this
kind of a case because there’s a multifaceted issue. It’s dealing with activity of law enforcement,
there’s also potential for civic liability. All those issues are very complex and if there’s, you
know, involving the District Attorney’s office that there’s some improper procedures being
followed there, there is an avenue to seek recourse through the legal system that way. The role
that this body can play is relatively limited because it is a policy setting body for the entity of
Augusta Georgia and all you all do is set policy with respect to, you know, the finances of the
law enforcement and other aspects. It doesn’t reach as far as it sounds like the concerns are
coming from. So that would be my suggestion.
Mr. Mason: Okay and I think, Mr. Mayor, those are the types of answers. It may not be
what he wants to hear but it certainly ---
Mr. Mayor: I’ll give you another two.
Mr. Mason: --- thank you, Mr. Mayor, but certainly the facts of the matter as it relates to
this governing body here. So we want to exhaust all avenues possible to assist not just this
family but any family that might find themselves in this particular situation. So I wanted to at
least be able to get that out. Did you understand what our General Counsel said in reference to --
Mr. Harvey: Yes.
Mr. Mason: --- this body here?
Mr. Harvey: And that’s why we’re here because my attorney did advise us we should
step in and talk to you all also. And also to answer Mr. Bill, I don’t agree with Mr. Bill’s answer
that the Sheriff’s Department is doing what they’re supposed to do. If ya’ll get time and ya’ll
pull a policy taser you will see that the officer and Sheriff’s Roundtree’s policy it states that a
taser shall not be fired around liquid flammable items. My brother was killed at a gas station and
if you get a chance I’d like for ya’ll to look at that and they you’ll probably follow where we’re
coming from. So all officers are not doing what they’re supposed to do. And I know this is not a
courtroom I know that it’s not but I do thank ya’ll for giving me this time.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, thank you, sir.
Ms. Speaker: (Unintelligible).
Mr. Mayor: Yes, ma’am.
Ms. Speaker: (Unintelligible).
Mr. Mayor: Okay, thank you, ma’am. Madam Clerk, next delegation please.
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The Clerk:
DELEGATIONS
E. Ms. Jodi Pope regarding the importance and benefits of the ‘No Kill’ in relation to
animal welfare in Augusta-Richmond County.
Mr. Mayor: And if you could keep it to five minutes as well, please, ma’am.
Ms. Pope: All right, let me first say thank you for giving the animals at Augusta Animal
Services a reprieve from the killing that has been taking place. Thank you for allowing us to
speak and to present this alternative to the current status quo. I’ll do my best in the five minutes
I’ve been allotted to give a brief understanding of ‘No Kill’. I hope that you will ask questions
and take the time to read the materials that we provided. For the purpose of this presentation as
well as future reference to the term please understand this important fact. What is occurring at
Animal Services is not euthanasia. The definition of euthanasia is the act or practice of killing or
committing the death of hopelessly sick or injured individual’s persons or domestic animals in a
relatively painless way for reason of mercy. Call it like it is. When most people hear the word
shelter they presume that the name means what the word implies a safe place for animals to be
housed until they are reunited with their families or until they are placed in homes. The sad truth
is that many shelters and humane societies across America function more like holding centers in
which more than 50% and often as many as 90% of the animals who enter the building do not
leave alive. There are essentially three types of animal shelters in the United States, kill
facilities, no kill limited admission and no kill open admission facilities. Augusta Animal
Services is a kill facility and is currently killing over 70% of intake each year. Under the current
management the shelter refuses to look at other proven lifesaving options that are working in
other communities and has a history of refusing to work with local rescues and volunteers. ‘No
Kill’ is not a definition it is a culture in which lifesaving is the ultimate goal and in which the
only animals destroyed are those which are truly suffering or those dogs which are so aggressive
that they cannot be rehabilitated even by experts and which present a genuine danger to the
public. The ‘No Kill’ sheltering philosophy is one that predicts a decades old idea that the best
we can do for homeless animals in shelters is to adopt out a few animals and destroy the rest. It
is quite common for shelters and humane societies to destroy animals who are salvageable
simply because it’s what’s been done for decades and because the shelter leadership has not yet
found ways to implement methods being used in other regions to save even more animals. No
Kill Communities are as diverse as the people which populate them. What they do have in
common is passion for life-saving and a leadership which is progressive enough to implement
proven methods being used across the country. ‘No Kill’ is a pledge to be more open to life
saving programs. With these eleven programs the current rate of 70% could be immediately
reversed to a save rate of 70% using the ‘No Kill’ equation. The ‘No Kill’ equation is the only
model that has been consistently successful in creating no kill communities. It’s called an
equation because all of the elements work together to create the desired result, more lives saved.
It’s not possible to pick and choose which elements to implement. They all work together much
like a building design or recipe for success. When fully implemented it’s serves to keep animals
from entering the shelter in the first place and to get animals who do end up in the shelter out
quickly. The first is the high volume, low-cost spay and neuter program. Low and low cost high
volume spay and neuter reduced the number of animals entering the shelter system by reducing
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pet populations in a region. These services have been proven to reduce shelter intake by making
spay and neuter incredibly cost effective and accessible to anyone. Number two, Pet Retention
Programs. While some surrenders of animals to shelters are unavoidable others can be prevented
but only if shelters work with people to help them solve the problems. Saving animals requires
shelters to develop innovative strategies for keeping people and their companion animals
together. Number three Proactive Redemptions. One of the most overlooked areas for reducing
killing in animal control shelters are lost animal reclaims. Shifting from a passive to a more
proactive approach has allowed shelters to return a large percentage of lost animals to their
families before they ever even enter the shelter. Number four Feral Pets in our program. Trap,
neuter return programs for free roaming cats keeps cats out of the shelter entirely. Pets are
trapped, sterilized, vaccinated and either returned to the colony or adopted into homes if they are
socialized to people. Number five Comprehensive Adoption Programs. Adoptions are vital to
the lifesaving mission. Shelters drastically increase adoptions when they better promote their
animals and have adoption programs responsive to community needs including public access
hours for working people providing a welcoming atmosphere and excellent customer service
outset adoptions, adoption incentives and effective marketing. Contrary to conventional wisdom
shelters can adopt their way out of killing.
Mr. Mayor: Ma’am, I apologize by your five minutes are up. And I keep it on a timer to
be fair to everybody. So do we have any questions and if we could get copies of your
presentation.
Ms. Pope: Everybody has (inaudible) red folder.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. Do we have any questions? Commissioner Mason? No, okay.
Ms. Pope: I mean there’s no way that we can provide you the information on ‘No Kill’ in
your five minutes timeframe.
Mr. Mayor: Yes, ma’am, but you understand the five minutes for delegations is there to
be fair to everybody so that everybody coming before us to do a delegation gets equal time. So if
you start making exceptions for one you’ve got to make them for everybody. Commissioner
Davis.
Ms. Davis: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. If ya’ll do want to try do a longer presentation then
that’s acceptable in committees that we have on Mondays, every other Monday. Besides we
have two Commission meetings and two committee meetings every month so if you want to try
to make a longer presentation you’re welcome to at those committee meetings. Okay, thank you.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, thank ya’ll. Madam Clerk, on to the next delegation.
The Clerk:
DELEGATIONS
F. Mr.& Mrs. Willie (Betty) Williams regarding Solid Waste charge on property where
there is no house for household waste.
12
Mr. Mayor: And if you could keep it to five minutes as well, please, ma’am.
Ms. Williams: Good afternoon and thank you for letting me speak. I am Betty Williams.
This is my husband Willie Williams and we live at 208 Japonica Avenue East Augusta
Sunnydale Park and we are here about the solid waste. We are here about the property at 214.
We are here to try to change, you know, drop the charges or change whatever. We don’t have
any solid waste on that property. It’s just a yard and a carport and we are charged for solid
waste. The 208 and 214 the property is joined together and it’s just a yard. So we’re here to see
what we can do about that. And we do not put the grass out. We don’t we take care of the grass
so they’re not doing anything with, on that property.
Mr. Mayor: Okay Commissioner Guilfoyle then Commissioner Williams.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Ms. Williams, Mr. Williams, thank for being
responsible property owners. We understand, we hear you loud and clear. As far as the vacant
lots and as far as people being charged for something that’s not rendered actually agenda item
number 54 that Mark’s going to do his presentation in regards to the vacant lots and hopefully
it’ll pass on this floor where vacant lots will not be charged.
Mr. Mayor: So we are addressing that item today. Commissioner Williams.
Mr. Williams: Yes, Ms. Williams, I appreciate you being here as well but and I think you
did the right thing by coming. And I’ve been telling my constituents when they call me not to
pay that fee. That fee was done wrong. We have, it was put in, in the mix so to speak. The
Commission didn’t realize what they, the department head had brought forth. I think it’s very
wrong to have people responsible and even the irresponsible people who have lots to be charged
and no one is still cleaning them. I don’t think we ought clean up other people’s properties, I’m
not saying that but I’m saying to you we’re going to, we are working on that. I want to see what
Item 54 is going to bring, how we’re going to eliminate not just yours but those people who’ve
got properties like that. I think there was an injustice done on the taxpayers who support this
government with taxes. So just, that word patience came up, Mr. Mason talked about it a little
while ago. Just grab a little bit of that and hold on to it and we’re going we’ll going to try and
work through this to try to make sure that we correct something that was done in the beginning
that was wrong. I don’t want to get off on the garbage because that’s another issue too but we
will handle this vacant lot right now. We’ll talk about the garbage next time we talk. Thank you
for your time though. Appreciate it.
Mr. Mayor: Thank ya’ll so much. Madam Clerk, before we move on to the consent
agenda I know we have Judge Doumar here to speak to an issue who has to be in court this
afternoon I believe. So if we could call agenda item number 50.
The Clerk:
PUBLIC SAFETY
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50. Motion to accept Richmond County Juvenile Court-Juvenile Justice Grant Award
from the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) in the amount of $295,000.00.
Judge Doumar: Thank you all. It’s self-explanatory. You all did a great job accepting
the $250 thousand. We went from 103 juveniles who were either short term or long term
incarcerated for property crimes and family violence types of misdemeanors down to 17 through
implementation of the grant. It’s for 14 to 16 year old males, property crimes and high and
aggravated misdemeanors. So it worked. We had 100% compliance from the county. We got a
great report card from the governor and we applied and this year they gave us more money. So
this year we have a non-matching opportunity for this grant, $295,000 dollars have
(unintelligible) and Aaron Schmidt, Juvenile Court Staff, administered it worked with the county
liaison with the vendor and it’s really just been a win, win. So we’re here asking you again
st
accept it, approve it. It has to be done before August the 1 and we will carry on the good work
of saving taxpayers money and I think effectively treating these types of juveniles for these types
of crimes.
Mr. D. Smith: So moved, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mason: Second.
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion that’s been made and properly seconded. If there’s no
further discussion Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign.
Mr. Johnson and Mr. Lockett out.
Motion Passes 8-0.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you for the great job you’re doing.
Judge Doumar: Thank you all for doing it.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, Madam Clerk, on to the consent agenda.
The Clerk: Yes, sir. Our consent agenda consists of item 1-45. And under the Public
Services portion of the agenda I’ll read the alcohol applications and if anyone an objection would
you please signify your objection by raising your hand.
Item 2: Is a request for a retail package Beer & Wine license to be used in connection
with Walgreen Co. DBA Walgreens #15333 located 2493 Tobacco Road.
Item 3: Is a request for a Sunday Sales license to be used in connection with Kinja Sushi
located at 516 Shartom Drive. There will be Sunday Sales.
The Clerk: Are there any objectors to either of these petitions? I don’t see any, Mr.
Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: None noted. Do we have any additions to the consent agenda?
Commissioner Guilfoyle.
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Mr. Guilfoyle: Mr. Mayor, thank you. Madam Clerk, can we add item number 51 onto
the consent? I know that Commissioner Williams has a question for Ron Crowder on this is the
reason why we didn’t consent it on Finance last week.
Mr. Mayor: Do we have somebody here to speak to this?
Mr. Williams: Okay, we’ll put it back on ---
Mr. Mayor: Agenda item number 51.
Mr. Crowder: Just a general question?
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams.
Mr. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Yeah, a general question, Ron. You’ve got, the
item says replacement of one automobile for Augusta Fleet Management. I mean what
automobile, who’s automobile, when what kind what year, who’s it for and of those would be a
good answer.
Mr. Crowder: This is stated in the agenda. It’s for a pool car. We have four cars that
support out of town travel for employees and public officials if necessary to go to seminars,
training and so forth. We don’t have a vehicle assigned to Fleet Management proper. This is to
support all department of this government and it will replace one that is a 2000 model which has
broken down once out of town and it meets all the replacement for criteria.
Mr. Williams: Okay, that answers my question Mr. Guilfoyle. I appreciate you allowing
Ron to give an explanation on it.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Thank you.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, so 51 is on. Do we have any further additions to the consent agenda?
No further additions? Do we have any items to be pulled? Commissioner Guilfoyle.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Yes, sir, can we pull item number ten, sir?
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams.
Mr. Williams: Yes, Mr. Mayor, I’d like to pull item number 11, 38, 39, 40 and 42 please.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Jackson.
Mr. Jackson: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I wanted to delete item number 49 at this time.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. Okay, do we have any further ---
15
Ms. Davis: I was going pull, can I move something back to committee from the regular
agenda?
Mr. Mayor: Yes, you can if we have unanimous consent.
Ms. Davis: Number 53 I’m sorry to committee, yeah, move 53 back to committee.
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Mayor: Yes, sir, Commissioner Guilfoyle.
Mr. Guilfoyle: I just don’t want it to be forgotten about the, what the Administrator
brought forth for the animals.
Mr. Mayor: No, I’ve got that in front of me so I’ll take of that. Commissioner Williams.
Mr. Williams: You don’t have unanimous consent about 53, Mr. Mayor. I’d like to hear
you know the long and short terms. First it’s going back to committee then they’re coming back
here with it, I mean, it’s on the agenda. I’d like to hear because we’re here.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. Okay, do ya’ll have all those? I think I do. Can I get a motion to
approve the consent agenda?
Mr. Mason: So moved.
Ms. Davis: Second.
CONSENT AGENDA
PLANNING
1. FINAL PLAT-KNOLOGY WAY – S-796 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta
Georgia Planning Commission to approve a petition by Southern Partners, on behalf of
Boutwell Properties, requesting final plat approval of Knology Way. This new roadway
plan is located off Wheeler Road, west of Augusta West Parkway.
PUBLIC SERVICES
2. Motion to approve New Application: A.N. 14-23: a request by Melissa L. Reese for a
retail package Beer & Wine license to be used in connection with Walgreen Co. DBA
Walgreen #15333 located at 2493 Tobacco Road. District 4. Super District 9. (Approved by
Public Services Committee July 7, 2014)
3. Motion to approve a request by Young Hong for a Sunday Sales license to be used in
connection with Kinja Sushi located at 516 Shartom Dr. There will be Sunday Sales.
District 7. Super District 10. (Approved by Public Services Committee July 7, 2014)
4. Motion to approve the First Amendment to the on-site Rental Car Concession
Agreement with Bentley Auto Rental, LLC D/B/A Ace Rent-A-Car as approved by the
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Augusta Aviation Commission at their May 29, 2014 Meeting. (Approved by Public
Services Committee July 7, 2014)
5. Motion to approve Iacofanos 2014 Inflight Catering Permit as approved by the Augusta
Aviation Commission at their May 29,2 014 Meeting. (Approved by Public Services
Committee July 7, 2014)
6. Motion to approve a request by Angela Raynor for a Therapeutic Massage Operators
license to be used in connection with Oasis Hair & Body located at 3062 Damascus Rd.
District 2. Super District 9. (Approved by Public Services Committee July 7, 2014)
7. Motion to approve a request by Aimin Zhang for a Therapeutic Massage Operators
license to be used in connection with Hua Shun, Inc. located at 3450 Wrightsboro Rd.
District 3. Super District 10. (Approved by Public Services Committee July 7, 2014)
8. Motion to approve final approval of one-year lease agreement between Augusta, GA
(Augusta Parks & Recreation) and the Imagination Station Steering Committee relative to
the Hickman Park Community Building. (Approved by Public Services Committee July 7,
2014)
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
9. Motion to approve an annual bid for Polo Style Uniforms Shirts for the Sheriff’s Office.
The item requires Commission approval due to the fact that purchases on the individual
items will exceed $25,000.00 per order. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee
July 7, 2014)
PUBLIC SAFETY
12. Motion to authorize the Sheriff’s Office to transfer $54,000 from their 51 accounts
(Salaries and Benefits) to the 911 Center salary and benefits account to alleviate short term
manpower issues due to the Sheriff’s Office new zone/staffing configurations and data
systems conversion. (Approved by Public Safety Committee July 7, 2014)
13. Motion to approve addendums to 2012 Hazard Mitigation Plan and approve applying
for 2014 Hazard Mitigation grant. (Approved by Public Safety Committee July 7, 2014)
14. Motion to approve renewing Memorandum of Understanding with Georgia Emergency
Management Agency for Emergency Evacuation Shelter Equipment. (Approved by Public
Safety Committee July 7, 2014)
15. Motion to approve a request from the Sheriff’s Office for a revenue account to be
established for crash reports provided primarily to insurance companies for their
convenience. More specifically, it is requested that these funds be dedicated primarily to
traffic safety through the Sheriff’s Office Traffic Safety Division. These funds will be used
for traffic safety education programs, traffic safety equipment and other needs of the
Traffic Safety Division to reduce fatalities, injuries and accidents and to amend the budget
to reflect the increased level of revenue and expenditures associated with this item.
(Approved by Public Safety Committee July 7, 2014)
FINANCE
16. Motion to approve the replacement of 4 pickup trucks for Augusta Engineering
Department-Maintenance & Traffic Engineering Divisions. (Approved by Finance
Committee July 7, 2014)
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17. Motion to approve the replacement of 3 pickup trucks for Augusta Engineering
Department. (Approved by Finance Committee July 7, 2014)
18. Motion to approve the replacement of 1 utility body maintenance truck for Augusta
Recreation Department-FM-Construction Division. (Approved by Finance Committee July
7, 2014)
19. Motion to approve the purchase of one tracked skid steer loader for Augusta Utilities-
Facilities Maintenance Division. (Approved by Finance Committee July 7, 2014)
20. Motion to approve the purchase of one (1) small backhoe/loader for the Utilities
Department Construction & Maintenance Division. (Approved by Finance Committee July
7, 2014)
21. Motion to approve the purchase of 2 F-350 utility body maintenance trucks for Augusta
Utilities Department-Fort Gordon Division. (Approved by Finance Committee July 7, 2014)
22. Motion to approve 2015 Budget Calendar for approval. (Approved by Finance
Committee July 7, 2014)
ENGINEERING SERVICES
23. Motion to authorize condemnation to acquire title of a portion of property for right of
way and permanent construction and maintenance easement (Parcel 227-0-041-01-0) 2502
Railroad Avenue. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee July 7, 2014)
24. Motion to authorize condemnation to acquire title of a portion of property for right of
way and permanent easement (Parcel 209-0-062-03-0) 4667 Windsor Spring Road.
(Approved by Engineering Services Committee July 7, 2014)
25. Motion to authorize condemnation to acquire title of a portion of property for right of
way and permanent easement (Parcel 209-0-005-00-0) 4721 Windsor Spring Road.
(Approved by Engineering Services Committee July 7, 2014)
26. Motion to authorize condemnation to acquire title of a portion of property for right of
way and permanent easement (Parcel 209-0-048-00-0) 4648 Windsor Spring Road.
(Approved by Engineering Services Committee July 7, 2014)
27. Motion to authorize condemnation to acquire title of a portion of property for right of
way and permanent easement (Parcel 209-0-002-02-0) 4695 Windsor Spring Road.
(Approved by Engineering Services Committee July 7, 2014)
28. Motion to authorize condemnation to acquire title of a portion of property for right of
way, permanent easement, and two temporary driveway easements (Parcel 227-0-028-00-0)
2502 Horseshoe Drive. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee July 7, 2014)
29. Motion to authorize condemnation to acquire title of a portion of property for right of
way, permanent easement, temporary encroachment easement, and two driveway
easements (Parcel 209-0-002-02-0) 4741 Windsor Spring Road. (Approved by Engineering
Services Committee July 7, 2014)
30. Motion to authorize condemnation to acquire permanent construction and maintenance
easement (Parcel 040-0-071-00-0) 3802 Wrightsboro Road. (Approved by Engineering
Services Committee July 7, 2014)
31. Motion to authorize condemnation to acquire permanent construction and maintenance
easement (Parcel 040-0-003-00-0) 3801 Wrightsboro Road. (Approved by Engineering
Services Committee July 7, 2014)
32. Motion to authorize condemnation to acquire title of a portion of property in fee simple
and permanent construction and maintenance easement (Parcel 209-0-014-00-0) Project
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Parcel 41, 4754 Windsor Spring Road. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee July
7, 2014)
33. Motion to authorize condemnation to acquire title of a portion of property for right of
way, permanent easement and one temporary driveway easement (Parcel 193-0-016-00-0)
4625 Windsor Spring Road. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee July 7, 2014)
34. Motion to authorize condemnation to acquire title of a portion of property for right of
way, permanent easement, and one temporary driveway easement (Parcel 227-0-0090-01-0)
4785 Windsor Spring Road. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee July 7, 2014)
35. Motion to authorize condemnation to acquire title of a portion of property for right of
way and permanent easement (Parcel 209-0-010-00-0) project parcel 39, 4709 Windsor
Spring Road. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee July 7, 2014)
36. Motion to authorize condemnation to acquire title of a portion of property for right of
way and permanent easement (Parcel 209-0-003-00-0), project parcel 55, 4709 Windsor
Spring Road. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee July 7, 2014)
37. Motion to authorize condemnation to acquire title of the entire parcel, (Parcel 087-4-
086-00-0) 2058 Willow Street. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee July 7, 2014)
41. Motion to award an emergency design/build project to W.K. Dickson Consultants and a
selected Task Order contractor for $398,030 for emergency improvements at Augusta
Ave/Brown Street. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee July 7, 2014)
43. Motion to approve the notification of the award of a contract with Contract
Management Inc. for services associated with construction of the Fort Gordon New Water
and Sewage Connections under the Task Order Program for Infrastructure RFQ #13-134
in the amount of $609,821.68. Bid Item #14-143. (Approved by Engineering Services
Committee July 7, 2014)
44. Motion to approve Supplemental Agreement 8 with Jacobs Engineering Group Inc.
which will allow David Griffith to continue to provide project management support via
Staff Augmentation in the amount not to exceed $200,000. This will be funded from TIA
Discretionary funds for Augusta Engineering Department. (Approved by Engineering
Services Committee July 7, 2014)
PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
45. Motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Commission held June 26,
2014 and Special Called Meeting held July 7, 2014)
PUBLIC SAFETY
50. Motion to accept Richmond County Juvenile Court-Juvenile Justice Grant Award from
the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CHCC) in the amount of $295,000.00.
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion that’s been made and properly seconded.
Mr. Johnson and Mr. Lockett out.
Motion Passes 8-0. [Items 1-9, 12-37, 41, 43-45, 50]
Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Madam Clerk. I know we did have one additional request from
the Administrator to discuss and approve the recommendation for Animal Services. Do we have
unanimous consent to add that?
19
Mr. Jackson: No, sir, you don’t.
Mr. Mayor: We don’t have unanimous consent on that one? Okay, we do not unanimous
to add that.
Mr. Smith: Reconsider that, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Jackson, do you have any, do you want to reconsider or not?
Mr. Jackson: Mr. Lockett brings his points out and it gets tossed up at the last minute and
I haven’t had a chance to go through it. Monday (inaudible).
Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Guilfoyle.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Yeah, I would just like to reach out to my colleagues, have a clear
understanding that there’s a lot of organization of people here as well as staff who have been
working desperately to bring this before us today. And (unintelligible) convenience about they
was prepared to do it as far as our staff to prepare their presentation. And I wish you would
reconsider so.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Smith.
Mr. D. Smith: Yes, sir. I plead with my colleague on the other end. This has been an
emotional matter for the last five days or six days that has consumed a lot of energy from the
community and this commission. I would simply ask that you give us the opportunity to present
this today otherwise we’re going to be in a desperate situation at the animal shelter. I don’t
know that we have enough room and enough capacity to go another six days without ---
Mr. Mayor: Okay, we now have unanimous consent.
Mr. D. Smith: Thank you, Mr. Jackson.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Thank you, Mr. Jackson.
Mr. Mayor: So, Madam Clerk, let’s address that agenda item first.
The Clerk:
ADDENDUM
56. Discuss and approve the recommendation for Animal Services.
Mr. Mayor: Madam Administrator.
Ms. Allen: Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor, members of the Commission, of course as
Commissioner Smith stated earlier there has been a lot of media press and responses from our
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community as it relates to the Animal Services area and what we’re doing to work with our local
rescue groups, licensed and certified rescue groups in helping us to keep our, do what’s
necessary to save our animals. And we want to make sure that they knew that we were actually
listening and we have hopefully developed something that would work and be amenable to all
parties. I’m going to ask that Ms. Broady come up and present what she has worked with the
Law Department to develop as it relates to an actual agreement and hopefully this will
accommodate what we’re actually looking for. I’ve had a number of conversations with various
people as it relates to this and please understand that the city of Augusta is only here to do what
we feel is best. And we’re going to continue to work with our community to do that. Ms.
Broady.
Mr. Mayor: Ms. Broady.
Ms. Broady: Yes, sir.
Mr. Mayor: No, I’m saying you have the floor.
Ms. Broady: Thank you. Mr. Mayor, Commissioners, as our Interim Administrator Ms.
Allen has said we have done a lot of work on this and the what staff came up with in addition to
the rescue group that has been working with us which I named some days ago what I still want to
do is to make sure that the animals that leave the shelter are altered. I have a document that I
received from PETA and PETA is in support of animals that leave the shelter being altered
before they go out into rescue groups or into the community. What we propose to do and we’ve
started working with DNA is we, DNA has made arrangements or made an appointment with
local spay and neuter clinics or veterinarian office. We transport the animal to the clinic, the
animal is altered and the rescue groups take possession of the dog or the cat at that time. That
satisfies my position it allows the animals to get out. The rescue group is responsible for the bill.
And we also looked at mothers and babies and along with the law department, the
Administrator’s office, both Interim Administrator and the Deputy and my staff we looked at
mothers and babies go out without being altered and track those and those only. Those would be
the only animals that we would allow or propose to send out of the shelter that are not altered
and track those animals. Everything else would have to have an appointment made, we transport
the animal to that clinic, the animal is altered and rescue group takes possession of the animal
and pay the fees.
Mr. Mayor: Please ya’ll.
Mr. D. Smith: Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: Yes sir, Commissioner Smith.
Mr. Smith: Thank you. Ms. Broady, there are many people in this room that have
feelings one way or the other. And I want to make sure that we are clear about what we’re trying
to do. It is your desire that we adopt as many animals out that we possibly can.
Ms. Broady: Yes, sir.
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Mr. D. Smith: Given that the state law requires us to make sure that the animals that we
release have been spayed or neutered either prior to us releasing them or we track them down
after the adoption has occurred.
Ms. Broady: Yes, sir.
Mr. D. Smith: And the, it appears to me after spending many hours working on this with
you that we have to either have a spay and neuter vet that does it at the facility and we have
appropriated money to get that done. Is that correct?
Ms. Broady: That’s correct.
Mr. D. Smith: And we have met with no success attracting a vet to come and perform
that service for us. Is that correct?
Ms. Broady: A full time vet through Human Resources, that is correct.
Mr. D. Smith: We’ve not been able to, even though we pay a very competitive wage we
have not been able to get that done.
Ms. Broady: We offered a competitive rate, sorry ---
Mr. D. Smith: Wage.
Ms. Broady: --- wage but we have not as of yesterday received any applicants.
Mr. D. Smith: How many animals can we maintain at the shelter?
Ms. Broady: 400 is overflowing.
Mr. D. Smith: Is overflowing. What happens when we go to 400? What does the state
do to us at that point?
Ms. Broady: We are required to keep as many animals as we can humanely care for. At
above 400 Department of AG can come in tell us that we’ve got too many and if it’s too many
for us to properly care for they could close our doors.
Mr. D. Smith: And take our license from us?
Ms. Broady: They could.
Mr. D. Smith: Does this compromise allow us, does it adequately allow us adopt more
animals out at a faster rate?
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Ms. Broady: Commissioner Smith, if the rescue groups step up and take the animals, yes,
sir, it will.
Mr. D. Smith: How does, how does it affect the ordinary Joe that comes out there or
Joline that comes out there and wants to adopt an animal? Can you explain (inaudible)?
Mr. Mayor: I’ll give you another two minutes.
Mr. D. Smith: Thank you, Mr. Mayor, I appreciate it since this is such a heavy topic at
this moment.
Ms. Broady: We do have part time vets. We do have as I said in the beginning a
volunteer vet that is working with us spaying and neutering. We have a part time vet that also is
spaying and neutering for us as well so we are still having animals altered weekly. We have
animals today tomorrow and Thursday that are scheduled with one of the local vets or spay and
neuter clinic through DNA again to have those animals altered and moved on.
Mr. D. Smith: You keep using the term DNA. What is that?
Ms. Broady: It is Dog Networking Agent and they, we have a representative here. They
brought some of the dogs with them that they have taken from our shelter and are working with
veterans in the area and have also networked to have animals transferred up and down the, across
the country. So you see we are working with groups.
Mr. D. Smith: Mr. Mayor, my last question.
Mr. Mason: Can we get some order here?
Mr. Mayor: Yes, please, could ya’ll keep it down and be respectful?
Mr. D. Smith: My last question, Ms. Broady, is if you are a licensed facility by the state
and we have certain rescue groups that are licensed by the state ya’ll carry a, the license is
exactly the same. And once you let an animal out then that license or if you were to let that go to
a rescue group that group then their license becomes at risk just like ours if they fail to properly
spay or neuter an animal that they take out of our shelter.
Mr. Mayor: Ya’ll please, please, hold your applause.
Ms. Broady: Commissioner Smith, the only issue with that the only exception is that we
are still required to track their spay or neuter because the animal was released from our facility.
Even though we both hold the same license we are still responsible for insuring that they get
those animals altered.
Mr. D. Smith: Okay, and I asked that question for a specific purpose. Is when we allow
rescue groups from up north to come down here and cruise our animal shelter and pick out the
best animals and they go back up north what is the recourse that we have if we were to allow
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them to take an animal unaltered to New Jersey or Philadelphia or wherever they’re taking them
and selling them. What’s our recourse?
Ms. Broady: We have no jurisdiction outside of Georgia, sir. We would not be able
enforce anything.
Mr. D. Smith: So if somebody from Carolina comes over and gets a dog if we were to
change a policy and allow them to have an unaltered animal leaves here and it goes into Carolina
we don’t have the authority to reach back out and force that animal to be taken care of. Is that
correct?
Ms. Broady: That’s correct.
Mr. D. Smith: Okay. Thank you.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Guilfoyle then Commissioner Fennoy.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Ms. Broady, as far as this organization being a,
are they here locally or ---
Ms. Broady: Yes, sir.
Mr. Guilfoyle: --- they are and you have been working with them.
Ms. Broady: For the past twelve months.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Okay. How’s that relationship?
Ms. Broady: It’s been working very well, sir.
Mr. Guilfoyle: All right. These and they are licensed by the state.
Ms. Broady: Yes, sir.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Same license that we carry.
Ms. Broady: Yes, sir.
Mr. Guilfoyle: All right. As far as these rescue groups that’s coming forth willing to
help, willing to volunteer their time and do whatever they need to do because my phone’s been
going off the hook, emails some of them I just delete because when I see personal text shut down
from that moment on. But as far as the rescue groups are they licensed by the state or are they
required to be?
Ms. Broady: They are required to be licensed by the state, yes, sir.
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Mr. Guilfoyle: Okay, so if and I’ve heard you tell Commissioner Smith that we’re still
responsible if we let the animals go ---
Ms. Broady: That’s correct.
Mr. Guilfoyle: --- to these rescue groups.
Ms. Broady: Yes, sir.
Mr. Guilfoyle: What is the solution? I see that we actually took some animals to the
veterinarian and then they paid. Would that be the proper way of doing it, the easiest way, the
least resistant, that way our records show that they have been spayed and neutered.
Ms. Broady: That is my suggestion, Commissioner Guilfoyle, yes, sir.
Mr. Guilfoyle: And I hope that the rescue groups comply with this and all heads are
nodding but when you were originally speaking before on the front row I seen heads nodding.
On the back row I seen heads going like this so it was hard to feel the vibe. But out of respect
while she was speaking, no different than the rescue group was speaking, not a word was said.
So out of respect for Ms. Broady we’ve got to show her the same thing please. So as far as what
you and the Administrator and the Deputy Administrator as well as reaching out to the
Commission this will be the best course of action.
Ms. Broady: That’s my recommendation, yes, sir.
Mr. Guilfoyle: I guess our best hope is to move forward on this I know you’re ready to
get back to work as well as your staff to get back to day to day operations.
Ms. Broady: Yes, sir.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Thank you.
Ms. Broady: Thank you.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Fennoy then Commissioner Williams.
Mr. Fennoy: How are you doing, Ms. Broady?
Ms. Broady: I’m here, sir.
Mr. Fennoy: Okay. I think at the last committee meeting when the issue of the shelter
and pets was brought to our attention one of the things that was mentioned was the fact that we
accept pets from other counties.
Ms. Broady: Yes, sir.
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Mr. Fennoy: Are we still doing that?
Ms. Broady: Yes, sir.
Mr. Fennoy: And what impact do you think that it would have on our shelter if we only
accepted pets from Richmond County and what are some of the other counties we are accepting
pets from?
Ms. Broady: Commissioner Fennoy, this is something that was approved by the
Commission when I believe it was Director Teasley was in charge. And we are paid for those
animals that come in from other counties that are relinquished from other counties. There is a
$35.00 fee per animal for any animal that we receive and the owner does not have a Richmond
County or an Augusta address. The alternative to not accepting them would be the same thing
for residents that come in from Augusta that may be charged for us picking up and animal from
their home, they’re relinquishing it and they want us to come pick it up instead of bringing it to
the shelter, they let them out on the street and then we’re chasing them. So it is better for us, it
less time consuming if we take the animal in rather than chase it down, set out a trap and try and
pick that animal up.
Mr. Fennoy: And I guess my concern is that I don’t want the animal shelter in Richmond
County to be the for lack of better terms a dumping ground for surrounding counties. And if
that’s what’s taking place then I guess we need as a Commission need to come up with some
type of policy. I don’t know what was passed when the prior director was here but I don’t think
that I don’t think we could afford to take in animals from counties when you have a problem
with taking care of animals in our own county.
Ms. Broady: I’m sorry, sir, you asked me some of the areas that they came in from.
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From January of this year until June 25 we took in 8 from Columbia County. 2013 we took in 8
from Columbia County. We took in animals from Waynesboro, Clarks Hill, Keysville,
Lincolnton, Columbia, SC, Washington.
Mr. Fennoy: And I guess my I guess my last question is and, Mr. Mayor, can I ask a
question to one of the supporters of the animal groups?
Mr. Mayor: Yeah, I’ll give you two more minutes and if you’d like to call on one
representative.
Mr. Fennoy: Just one representative from the animal group who wants to answer
questions.
Mr. Mayor: And if you could state your name and address for the record, please, ma’am.
Ms. Colvin: My name is Willene Colvin, I’m the founder and president of STARS
Animal Rescue, Safety Animals Rescue Society and we’re local here in Augusta, Hephzibah
area. And I live, you mean my address?
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Mr. Mayor: Yes, ma’am.
Ms. Colvin: 5298 Henderson Road, Hephzibah Georgia.
Mr. Fennoy: And my question is the animals that we are getting from other counties, is it
possible that those other counties can take those animals directly to you as opposed to going to
the animals shelter and being?
Ms. Colvin: I get many puppies and pregnant dogs and so forth and regular dogs from
individuals who want to give them up. It’s a crisis as need basis for me. I think my
responsibility is to get the dogs out of the facility that are in danger of being euthanized simply
because they’re there first. But I do take animals from Burke County. I’ve taken them from
Americus, Georgia and that was from a facility though. So I do take from private individuals
too. And if it’s in crisis I don’t really require a specific address although that’s on my
paperwork. I don’t ask that you live in Richmond County.
Mr. Fennoy: Okay, thank you.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams then Commissioner Guilfoyle.
Mr. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I’ve got two questions. First of all I need to
know from the rescue group what Ms. Broady said is acceptable or not. Is that something that
you agree with? I mean I saw some mixed emotions. So I’d like to know that. The other thing
is if what she has put in place with the Administrator and the Attorney and all of the different
groups, is that going to be any animals that comes in? First ten, twenty animals goes to this
group or are we going, how are we going to pick and choose because that’s going to be another
problem because you’re going to leave some dogs there.
Ms. Broady: Yes, sir.
Mr. Williams: Gerry’s got a beautiful German Shepherd and that’s probably the best dog
in the world but ---
Mr. Mayor: You’re a little biased on that one.
Mr. Williams: --- I am. I am. But I don’t want, I want to know, if we’re going to rescue
animals we don’t need to get a specific group of animal to rescue. So I’m asking that question.
Are we going to get, if we take the first 20 animals to the veterinarian that’s what the rescue gets
those animals and finds a home for them as well. Good, bad or indifferent. Now I talked last
week about a half pointer half setter. A lot of people don’t know what that is. That’s a dog
that’s sitting up front pointing to the kitchen. He don’t know what he is he’s just a dog so we got
to get all of them if we’re going to do that. So I want to get clear as to how we’re going you
know if we’re going to take the first ten or twenty and what’s going to happen and it’s like
cracker jacks you get what prize whatever the box gives you that’s what you get. So I just need
to hear something from groups. I want to hear is that workable is that doable is that?
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Ms. Colvin: It’s, I think it’s doable.
Mr. Mayor: Yes, ma’am.
Ms. Colvin: I’m ready to work with Richmond County, that’s my county. And we will
take, we don’t pick and choose. I’ve got pictures of puppies and dogs that I have right now and
they are the same thing you described. Some of them are ill, some of them are senior citizens. I
take what I can. Whenever dogs come in there I will be very willing and able to go into the
facility see what I can pull as far as our foster homes availability. Some can take large animals,
some can take small animals. My concern is with the underage puppies and kittens that are not
old enough to be neutered or spayed and Ms. Broady did say she addressed that with the mothers
of the puppies that they be allowed to come out. They’re not old enough to be altered. I am
licensed rescue and I am very much in jeopardy if I do not follow the rules that I will agree to do.
And, yes, it’s possible to do that. I pick different breeds of animals and work with one of the
rescue groups up north and they don’t pick and choose either, they have all kinds of animals,
hound dogs, rotties, things like that.
Mr. Mayor: Ms. Broady, did you want to respond to Commissioners as well?
Ms. Broady: Commissioner Williams, in a perfect world that is what would happen that
they would come in and get the animals that were closest to euthanasia. And as Ms. Colvin said
there are some groups that will come in and will pick the older dogs, the senior dogs, those
groups are few and far between. Too many groups come in and they want to pick the most
highly adoptable dogs, the purebred or those closest to purebred, the little designer dogs are what
they’re looking for and will step over the jets and the bennys. But again there are some groups
that will. We’ll pull shelter ideally, they will pick from what is available, everything that’s
available.
Mr. Williams: Mr. Mayor, thank you ---
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams.
Mr. Williams: --- and I’ve got a personal story and you wasn’t there then but I lost two
adult shepherds and they were picked up at night and taken to the animal shelter. And two days
later when I found out they disappeared they weren’t there no more. And I got highly upset
about it. Mr. Russell was here at that point and he tried to console me about it but it was really
bad that those dogs got picked up and two days later when I finally found out they had been
picked up at a lady’s home that they was gone and said they had put them down. And I knew
better. So some of those groups could’ve came in at that point because those type dogs that
dog’s been well maintained don’t really last long. And I still get heartburn about it but I got
another German Shepherd now so I’m all right.
Ms. Broady: And, sir, that was a long time ago.
Mr. Williams: Right, it was a long time ago.
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Ms. Broady: It hasn’t changed that much that and I shared with you the last time I was
here we had between January and June 54 animals that were pulled by rescue groups, 42 of them
were pulled by DNA.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Guilfoyle.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Ms. Broady, you handed us this information
from PETA ---
Ms. Broady: Yes, sir.
Mr. Guilfoyle: --- and in a highlighted area just say one unaltered female dog and her
offspring can produce 67,000 puppies in six years. In seven years one female cat and her
offspring can produce an astonished 370,000 kittens.
Ms. Broady: Yes, sir.
Mr. Guilfoyle: That’s amazing. But as far as these rescue groups I imagine everybody’s
here from Augusta, everybody wants to do the right thing but everybody had also agreed when I
told them I said you know this becomes a government problem because of irresponsible pet
owners. In reality they don’t take care of them when they move they actually put them in
different neighborhoods, usually out here in the country where I live.
Ms. Broady: Yes, sir.
Mr. Guilfoyle: And the lady that lives off of Henderson Road, I live right around the
corner she could agree with me on that. The main thing is no different than Linda the lady who
came and spoke, Workman, Linda Workman that raises German Shepherds came and spoke and
it’s about education. Now everybody in this room who actually loves pets no different than me I
have three dogs and a cat that’s all been spayed and neutered. This is what we’ve got to do. If
you want to do your part the advisory board that’s on the Animal Control you could do more
positive instead of what’s been happening in these past three months not only for out director not
only for you and all the emotions that everybody had been through is let’s work together and go
to the schools like Linda Workman said and teach these children. She actually said that the
children come home and preach to their parents about Mom, Dad we’ve got to get these dogs or
cats spayed and neutered. And it’s a system that works. This system that we put, doing right
now it’s a Band-Aid. If you look at the amount of animals that are taken in every year the
amount of animals that gets adopted out ---
Mr. Mayor: I’ll give you another two.
Mr. Guilfoyle
: --- thank you, Mr. Mayor, they’re a very big difference. So how do we
reduce that? You reduce the problem. The problem is irresponsible pet owners. Now if
somebody wants to take the task, Ms. Lorna, you and your group could do a great job, a people
person to go out to these schools. Naturally we don’t have the staff within Augusta Richmond-
County because they’re budget limited. But that would make so much of a greater impact then
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what we’re doing right now. We won’t see it one year down the road. Five years down the road
we could look and go you know what we did some amazing things. We talked to the people of
Augusta-Richmond County and I was part of it. That’s the best thing that we could actually do
and that way the director if she’s not retired yet will actually say hey our euthanasia rates is
considerably lower than any other county such as Columbus/Macon, Bibb, Athens/Clarke but it
takes everybody to do it just not one person. We’re attaching one person to make this happen. It
takes everybody who emailed me everybody you made the phone calls what can I do. This is
what you could do is form an organization, go out to these local schools not only in Richmond
Mr. Mayor, I’d like to make a
County, Columbia County, Burke County and teach the kids.
motion to approve the recommendation of Animal Services so we can move forward and
get these animals rescued and keep them from being euthanized.
Mr. Mason: Second.
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion that’s been made and properly seconded. Commissioner
Davis.
Ms. Davis: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I just want to understand the proposal Ms. Broady
made and our Interim Administrator. Just if I could get some clarity. So if we had contractual
agreements with rescue groups that are customized and set up for those groups they apply for
them, they show their license and their 990’s the animals taken unaltered and then proof has to
be brought back that the animal was spayed or neutered within 30 days or whatever the contract
says. And if they’re not brought back, then you just you end the contracts with that rescue
group, you turn them into the Department of Agriculture or you fine them, whatever the contract
says. I wanted some clarity on how that would have some problems as well.
Ms. Broady: No, ma’am, that is not what my suggestion was.
Ms. Davis: Right, I’m just wondering as far as another additional suggestion. What
would be the problems with that in your mind?
Ms. Broady: When we, when we discussed this initially and the Law Department spoke
and read the ruling it was said at that time that logistically it could not be could not be done
without adding staff. By having rescue groups make appointments with a local veterinarian or a
spay and neuter clinic we transport the animal to the clinic, the surgery is done, the rescue group
takes possession of the animal. We do not have to do any further tracking. We know because
we receive confirmation from the doctor, the veterinarian or the spay and neuter clinic that the
animal’s taken care of on that day. This eliminates the need for tracking that animal. If what we
are tracking are mothers and babies, that is a lesser number that we’re going to have to track.
Ms. Davis: And that comes into a staffing issue?
Ms. Broady: Yes, ma’am.
Ms. Speaker: (inaudible).
30
Mr. Mayor: Ma’am, please, I’m sorry, but please be respectful. You need to be
recognized by the Chair. Please, ma’am, I understand everybody’s emotional but thank you.
Commissioner Davis, please continue.
Ms. Davis: Mr. Mayor, I think Ms. Allen might have a comment on what I was asking
too.
Mr. Mayor: Madam Administrator.
Ms. Allen: Yes, Mr. Mayor, please keep in mind also once we get a veterinarian on staff
or get city assistance as it relates to a veterinarian you will not have the situation as, you know,
with as many animals leaving unaltered because you will have an actually veterinarian taking
care of it. So this is not, you know, something that we hope to have continue for a period of time
as it relates to us working with the local rescue groups. And I hope you guys, you local rescue
groups, understand that. We are hopeful in getting someone to be on site to make sure that the
pets are leaving the facility altered which would alleviate, it’s not happening right now, you may
be right but that is the plan going forward. So once we have someone on site that can take care
and address these issues as it relates to the animals being altered then you won’t have these
situations with the animals having to be taken somewhere to a spay and neuter clinic to get them
altered and then having the rescue group take them from that you know take ownership at that
point. So we’re asking the local rescue groups to meet us half way in working with this solution
and seeing if we can make this work for all, for both parties. It alleviates the necessity of the
additional tracking on the staff’s side with Ms. Broady’s staff and it also at the end of the day
gives the rescue groups hopefully what they want and that’s to assist us in making sure that these
pets have an opportunity to survive. So I would just add that Commissioner Davis.
Ms. Davis: Okay, Mr. Mayor, as a follow up. If we need additional resources for a
position that could you know work specifically with rescue groups and work with social media
as far as getting the word out for adoptable pets I would hope you’d bring to us very quickly as
we’re working on budget because I just see that as an important position that is needed to help
with us being proactive in the future.
Mr. Mayor: Madam Administrator.
Ms. Allen: If I could respond, I think that’s a great idea Commissioner Davis. We are
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actually working to put something together to present to the Animal Advisory Board on the 23.
I had spoken to Ms. Barrett and we’re looking at putting some options together to present to
them so we can get some input from them prior to bringing it forward to the Commission for
your approval.
Ms. Davis: One more thing, Mr. Mayor, I’m sorry ---
Mr. Mayor: Okay, go ahead.
Ms. Davis: --- and I understand this is a baby step today. If we could somehow just to
see for accountability if this is helping in the next you know 60-90 days and report to see how
31
it’s working if any improvements are being made on the adoptable pets. And then have a report
in that regard to see if we need to add any additional policies.
Ms. Allen: Yes, ma’am, we can present something back in 90 days.
Ms. Davis: Okay.
Mr. Mayor: And correct me if I’m wrong, Madam Administrator, but the position for the
in house veterinarian is still open, correct?
Ms. Allen: Yes, sir, it is actually still open. We’ve revised the advertisement today
because we have not had anyone actually respond to the advertisement. So we have the Animal
Services Director has worked diligently in working with other veterinarians who have come on
board and agreed to start working as early as Thursday to help in altering some additional
animals. So we are addressing that situation until we can actually get someone on board.
Mr. Mayor: And I would just ask the rescue groups to help us get the word out there.
I’m sure you have plenty of vets but that’s another good way whether it’s through social
networking or getting out the information that that position is still available. Commissioner
Fennoy.
Mr. Fennoy: Ms. Broady, to your knowledge is there a veterinarian school anywhere in
this area?
Ms. Broady: Athens.
Mr. Mayor: In Athens, Georgia.
Mr. Fennoy: Has any type of contact been made with the clinic?
Ms. Broady: Twice.
Mr. Fennoy: Okay to see if, what kind of response did you get?
Ms. Broady: None. Now the part time vet that we have that works with us currently is a
UGA graduate and she actually contacted us before she graduated to let us know that she would
be available in the future. And she is with a veterinarian’s office but she does donate time with
us on a weekly basis.
Mr. Fennoy: And I’m just wondering if is there any type of program that we could come
up with where the students that do spay and neutering could come here or maybe we could take
the dogs there? I mean if that’s, I mean I don’t know.
Ms. Broady: Commissioner, I’m willing to try but ---
Mr. Mayor: Okay, if ya’ll could please be respectful. Commissioner Smith. Grady?
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Mr. Grady Smith: What is the going rate for a veterinarian to work a clinic like you’re
talking about (inaudible).
Ms. Broady: Were you asking me, Commissioner?
Mr. Smith: (inaudible).
Ms. Broady: The position that we advertised is sixty-five and it ranged from $65,085 to
$100,000 annually. It depends on the experience.
Mr. Mayor: Grady, if you could pull your microphone down, please, sir.
Mr. Smith: Also what I was thinking about is some of the veterinarians who are getting
into my age range, is there a group and I know several of them that, you know, expressed an
interest. Maybe you could work a pool out amongst these retirees that live in this area that might
only want to work so many days. But if you could get a group maybe we could try to get some
people in there that can help out to alleviate a lot of what’s, you know, what’s happening thus far
until we can get on track and get us a reputable and I’d be saying hey if we’ve got to pay let’s get
us a good person who’s going to come and stay not somebody that’s going to come over there
and stay six months and then, you know, leave. Let’s try to get somebody that’s going to hand
around for a while. If we have to pay them a little more that’s what we got to do.
Ms. Broady: Sir, we did reach out to the local chapter of the AVMA twice and from that
we did get some contact. And we can try that again.
Mr. Smith: Okay, I, well, just whatever works. And then also about I was looking at
what about working hours out there. I know that, you know, you do business usually from what
8:00 to 5:00 or 8:00 to 4:30 Monday through Friday.
Ms. Broady: Yes, sir.
Mr. Smith: Okay, is that your hours?
Ms. Broady: Yes, sir, 8:30 to 5:00 Monday through Friday Saturday and Sunday we are
8 to noon but we are only cleaning and feeding on those two days but we are at Pet Smart every
Saturday ---
Mr. Smith: Okay.
Ms. Broady: --- and occasionally at Fort Gordon.
Mr. Smith: Well, I didn’t know if you know you had a lot of people come out there and
maybe look and point out and you could have like a holding area where people could say I want
that dog but you know until he or she gets fixed you know we have them over here in a holding
cell and then next week when the vet comes we’ll get it done.
33
Ms. Broady: We do that Monday through Friday, yes sir.
Mr. Smith: Okay, with most people working from 8:00 to 5:00 and I know it’s tough but
what I was trying to is maybe if we could be a little more user friendly with our hours and have it
where a lot of folks who are working here to help pay the taxes you know could come in and
hours they could be able to view the dogs and say I want that one, put him in a holding cell tag
him and boom and next week we can do whatever we need to do. And that way maybe we can
move some more dogs and cats.
Ms. Broady: Yes, sir, we did discuss that with the Administrator’s office and that is
something that we are planning to implement.
Mr. Smith: Well, you know, I and it’s easy to be standing back here and being the
Monday morning quarterback saying you ought to do this you ought to do that and I know you’re
the one out there with all the cats and dogs. So and I think we’re all up here trying to come up
with ---
Mr. Mayor: I’ll give you another two.
Mr. Smith: --- thank you, Mayor, just to try to help out and do the right thing because,
you know, I couldn’t believe it. I’ve gotten calls all over the southeast from people. And you
know we hear things and everything and say hey I’ll do what I can to adopt dogs and this and
that. So you know we’re all here to help and try to alleviate the situation that’s turned a little
ugly and now whatever we can do I think this group up here is dedicated to do it. I know Marion
Williams’ is, if I ever leave this earth and come back I want to be Marion’s dog.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, and just to sort of wrap it up. I think to piggyback off of two things
that were said by Commissioner Smith and Commissioner Davis with regards to the budgeting
process that would be when we could address the salary range for the position to make sure we
we’re actually being competitive for it. So as we’re in the middle of starting the budgeting
process now is the perfect time. And I agree with what Commissioner Smith said with regards to
let’s make sure that we pay the position adequately so that we get somebody really good that will
be with us for the long term. So we have a motion that’s been made and properly seconded. If
there’s no further discussion Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign.
Mr. Johnson and Mr. Lockett out.
Motion Passes 8-0.
Ms. Broady: Thank you.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you, ma’am. Madam Clerk, let’s go the pulled agenda items please.
The Clerk:
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
34
10. Motion to approve an Ordinance to amend the Augusta, GA Code Title One Article
Four Section 1-7-51 relating to the adoption of Personnel Policies and Procedures of
Augusta, Georgia; to amend Section 1000.108 and Addendum Form RM-MVR-RF of the
Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual regarding Motor Vehicles Check; to repeal all
Code Sections and Ordinances and part of Code Sections and Ordinances in conflict
herewith; to provide an effective date and for other purposes. (Approved by
Administrative Services Committee July 7, 2014)
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams, this was your pull.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Guilfoyle.
Mr. Mayor: What’s that oh, Guilfoyle. Commissioner Guilfoyle.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Ms. Donna ---
Ms. Williams: Yes, sir.
Mr. Guilfoyle: --- I actually had tried to call you last week, couldn’t get in contact.
Ms. Williams: I’m sorry.
Mr. Guilfoyle: I should’ve left a voice mail but I did not so it’s my fault. I wanted to
reach out to you ---
Mr. Mayor: The clock is running.
Mr. Guilfoyle: --- I know, Mr. Mayor. I had to see what was just handed to me. As far
as this the committee recommends a five-year history for new employees. Currently for the
existing employees it’s three years which correlates with other municipalities, the insurance
companies and I understand you trying to reduce any kind of incidental expenses to this county.
I’m about compromise. Can we do it at four years on the front side versus the five and we still
remain the three years with the current employees? It’s just going to open up more doors to get
better qualified people. The way it’s set up now if somebody gets like Commissioner Smith
discussed last week if a person got a DUI, they got reckless driving, they got too fast for
conditions and that compiled one incident goes against them.
Ms. Williams: Yes, sir, this was the recommendation of the committee which is
represented by the Sheriff’s Department the Fire Department, Utilities, Public Works the
Administrators Office, Finance. This is the recommendation from the committee to move it
down from the seven years as it currently is to five years with the credit for each year that there
is no infraction on that individual’s driving record. As you said we are trying to be fair to
potential employees but at the same time the duty to protect this organization from the liability
that would be associated with an employee taking an action that could cause harm to themselves
or to the citizens or to our property which property can be replaced. It’s not, you know, it’s not
so easy once you get into life and limb issues. Obviously this as I said this is the
35
recommendation of the committee the final decision rests with this body. If you would, you
know, the recommendation is the five years which was a decrease from the current system of
seven down to five because we are self-insured so we do have some additional financial
exposure there from our self-insurance policy so we want to make sure that the employees that
we put on the road they’re conducting business on behalf of this organization are folks that are
doing ---
Mr. Guilfoyle: Right, as the Sheriff’s Department they control their own policies.
Ms. Williams: That’s correct but they do have representation on this committee.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Okay, as far as the recommendation so what to me you’re looking at
somebody that’s been, have a clean driving history either from 48 months to 60 months. I mean
four years of a clean driving record is going to dictate whether you get employment with
Augusta-Richmond County or not versus the 60 months.
Ms. Williams: It’s up to this body. At that particular portion of the recommendation
actually came from the representative from the Sheriff’s Department.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Oh, okay.
Ms. Williams: It did.
Mr. Guilfoyle: There’s no corresponding information to relate between the four year and
five year then.
Ms. Williams: The state of Georgia offers histories that are, you can run a driving record
history that is either seven years or is either three years. So if you want anything longer than
three which the committee did then you have to run the seven year. So what this policy was
crafted to do was to run the seven so that you would have that length to score based on five
years.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Okay, so if we, it’s just up to this body. If I make a motion to reduce it
down to four years versus five ---
Ms. Williams: It is.
Mr. Mayor: I’ll give you another two.
Mr. Guilfoyle: All right. I’d like to make a motion to do a four-year history versus
a five.
Mr. Mason: Second.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Smith then Commissioner Williams.
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Mr. D. Smith: I’m sorry, Mr. Mayor, I don’t need any time. I apologize.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams.
Mr. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I’m probably going to make another motion to go
back ---
Mr. Mayor: A substitute motion?
Mr. Williams: --- another motion, substitute motion a different one from what my
colleague just mentioned. I’ve got a couple of questions. First of all I heard Ms. Williams say
that the Sheriff’s Department represented, representative is the one who made this suggestion
that doesn’t affect them because they’ve got a whole different policy over there. I mean they’ve
got their own within the Sheriff’s Department. That’s my first question. And I think we’re
trying to get this so we get the best drivers, is that right ---
Ms. Williams: Yes, sir.
Mr. Williams: --- you’re trying to make sure you’re trying to get people who have not
violated I guess. So wouldn’t a longer time be better to show how good my driving was versus a
shorter period of time? And if you check my driving record I mean from at one point I probably
was the best driver in the world. See I know you thought I was going to say something else but
I’m trying to figure out why this change is coming. We done hired people under this process
already now here goes a committee coming together and deciding that we need to bring it to the
Commission to change from seven years to five years. If you’ve got a good driving record for
seven years you’re more apt to be a better driver than you was if you reduce it down to five years
I think. So I’m wondering why would that’s so important and that’s the only change I see in this
policy is the number of years. We already hired people under this same code why is it so
important I guess. Ms. Williams, you’re on the committee but I need somebody to tell me why
that ---
Ms. Williams: The committee was asked to look at this policy and to reevaluate it and
determine is if there were, just because you’ve always been doing something one way doesn’t
mean you’re proponent of that, sir. So there was a request made of the committee to review their
existing policy and determine if it would be beneficial one way or the other ---
Mr. Williams: By who?
Ms. Williams: --- to make a change.
Mr. Williams: By who? Who asked the committee to look into it? I mean did this body
do that?
Ms. Williams: No, sir, it came as a request from one department head.
37
Mr. Williams: Well, that’s and I’ve still got some issues with that because one the
department head shouldn’t tell the committee, shouldn’t tell any, we had a similar here with the
Attorney one Commissioner wanted ---
Mr. Mayor: I’ll give you another two.
Mr. Williams: --- thank you, Mr. Mayor, tell the Attorney to reorganize something for
him at that point. So I’ve got some issues with that. When we are the elected bodies who
nobody came to committee and said look let’s discuss this and get some input from the
Commissioners. Someone asked the committee to look at it and then the committee made the
decision, well because somebody, whoever asked them said this is the best thing to do. And I
totally disagree. I think seven years driving record would prove that you’re a better driver than
five years will. If you want a job with this city and we ought not to be making no special
exception for somebody to be hired. It ought to be a rule and the rule ought to stand like any
other rule.
Ms. Williams: I agree.
Mr. Williams: So, okay, thank you for agreeing with me.
Ms. Williams: I agree with you, sir.
Mr. Williams: I mean, but I’m wondering how and that’s what happened. We get the
blunt of it. We’ve got to answer those questions when somebody else can go to a group and tell
the group to put something on the agenda that no committee chairman, nobody has to sign off on.
Ms. Williams: This was just a proposal, sir. This is not, this is the only way this can be
changed is if this commission changes it. So this is an opportunity to look at the current process
to decide if you like that current process and stay with it or if you want to go to a different
process. We are continually reviewing things that we do on a day to day basis and deciding if
they still make sense or if there’s a better way to do stuff. So if the commission likes this
proposal then they can adopt it. If they like Commissioner Guilfoyle’s recommendation they or
can adopt that or you can leave it exactly as it is and ---
Mr. Williams: I understand, Ms. Williams.
Ms. Williams: --- and you can (inaudible).
Mr. Williams: --- I think an old term when I was a kid is called carrying water for
somebody else and you shouldn’t be carrying this water. I need to know who made this
proposal. Who brought this to the committee?
Ms. Williams: This actually is not a proposal.
Mr. Williams: Okay, who brought it to the committee whether it’s a proposal or an
ordinance who brought it?
38
Ms. Williams: As Risk Management falls under me and that committee works as a body
of Risk Management then it falls to me to bring it to you. This was a committee decision to
make this proposal. There was not the, the discussion that went back and forth amongst the
committee this was a, this was something that the entire committee agreed on.
Mr. Williams: Well, I don’t know. I’m going to make a substitute motion, Mr. Mayor, to
let it stay as it is for the seven years that we’ve got. Whether I get any support on it I don’t
know. I’m going to make a motion that we leave it like it is right now. I think if you’ve got a
seven year record you can reflect on would be better than a five year record. I mean that’s, we’re
talking about safety. You mentioned the fact about equipment and life and limb. We want to
make sure you ain’t just been driving for a short time because we want to make sure you’ve been
driving all the time good. Now we’re not talking about a speeding ticket because you get one of
those but unsafe driving is something that your driving record will reflect. So that’s my motion,
Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, we have a substitute motion to leave the ordinance and the policy the
same. Is there a second on that? Commissioner Mason.
Mr. Mason: Okay, Ms. Williams, I’m trying to understand this water that you’re carrying
that Commissioner Williams was talking about. Whose water are you carrying?
Ms. Williams: This is the recommendation of the committee.
Mr. Mason: I thought I heard you say just a little bit ago it was a department head or
department.
Ms. Williams: Department head asked ---
Mr. Mason: Who?
Ms. Williams: --- the committee to look at it.
Mr. Mason: Who?
Ms. Williams: Planning and Development Director.
Mr. Mason: Okay, I’m just trying to get to the bottom of it.
Ms. Williams: And she appeared before this body at the committee meetings and I
believe stated the case.
Mr. Mason: It’s possible. I may not have been at that one. The thing that I’m concerned
with at this point and maybe I was a little haste in my second there but the thing that I’m
concerned with at this point is what happens within this government so often is that we create
39
double standards. And so we’re going to have what appears to be one group that’s already I
guess for lack of a better word vested with the three year deal. Is that right?
Ms. Williams: No, sir. All current employees went through the seven year ---
Mr. Mason: Through seven.
Ms. Williams: --- seven year history and this would be a change for all employees that
are hired after the date that this policy would become effective.
Mr. Mason: Okay, so I’m just a little off there but that’s what those hired after the date
so after the date there’ll be one standard and before the date there’ll be another.
Ms. Williams: Yes, sir ---
Mr. Mason: So I’m going back to my point creating a double standard within our
government. I don’t know why we do that to ourselves. I don’t know the cost benefit analysis, I
don’t know whether there’s a whether it’s a cost, whether it’s just benefit period, I’m not real
sure ---
Ms. Williams: If I could tell you how many folks would have an accident within a
certain period of time I could forecast the budget a lot better too.
Mr. Mason: That would be great.
Ms. Williams: But you know it’s just anybody it’s just ---
Mr. Mason: I just don’t understand why we create these types of things and then they
come back to haunt us at some point time or another then we react versus proactive whereas right
now we can be proactive. So I’m just not sure what the need is, why it was brought to you by an
individual then a committee wants to look at it or what have you. I’m for being proactive but
I’m wondering what true purpose does this serve or who does it serve?
Ms. Williams: I cannot answer that, sir. This would be an ---
Mr. Mason: Well, that’s a problem.
Ms. Williams: --- across the board to all future employees.
Mr. Mason: Thank you, I appreciate that.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, if there’s no further discussion, oh Commissioner?
Mr. Fennoy: Ms. Williams, repeat what the changes that you all want to make.
40
Ms. Williams: The proposed change would change from all future employees, potential
employees are currently looked at with a seven year driving history and it is scored. If they’re, if
the courts awarded under that scoring mechanism and there’s a matrix, a points system and that
was handed out before and I apologize for not bringing another copy with me, then if you have
too many infractions and your score is too high then you are not offered a job if the conditions of
your job are to be driving on behalf of Augusta-Richmond County as a large portion of your
responsibility of your job. So this would back that down to a five year scoring mechanism and
you would be given say we had that individual that had an infraction when they were sixteen
years old and that was the only infraction that they had. This policy change allows credit of one
point per year for each year that you do not have an infraction on your driving record. So if you
had one bad incident and that was five years ago and you had nothing since then, then there is
credit given for your good driving record as well as being penalized for your bad driving record.
The existing system along with the seven year scoring it only gives a maximum of three points
credit for, Tim help me out. The three year credit is the maximum amount of credit that they can
get, I think, during the whole seven years.
Mr. Crozier: And that’s for the last three years. The last three years of good driving
results in a three point deduction on the total MVR score on our current system of seven years
for new well for new employees.
Mr. Fennoy: So and I guess what I’m trying to figure out is that if we go to a five year
plan and I had accumulated ten points five years ago but I haven’t had anything four years and
above then because I’ve had a clean driving record for four years and I had one the year before
then what you’re proposing is that I would qualify for employment with Richmond County.
Ms. Williams: You would still have to have and acceptable score, an acceptable total
score but this would use the five year scoring mechanism and giving one point per year for each
year that there are not infractions.
Mr. Fennoy: And what’s the maximum amount of points that I could have to not qualify?
Mr. Crozier: I believe eight is the maximum.
Ms. Williams: Eight puts you in question.
Mr. Crozier: That’s a questionable range. You know you could be hired you’re asked to
attend driver training and anything above that would not be recommended for hiring.
Mr. Fennoy: So if I’ve got nine points I wouldn’t qualify, be recommended for hire.
Mr. Crozier: That’s correct.
Mr. Fennoy: Okay.
Mr. Crozier: However with the four years of good driving, you know, that could be
brought down to five which would be an acceptable score.
41
Mr. Fennoy: Okay and that’s what I’m trying to get at. If I had say five years to go I’ve
got ten points ---
Mr. Crozier: Yes, sir.
Mr. Fennoy: --- okay then the next four years I didn’t get any points then my net would
be what six points?
Ms. Williams: Currently if you have ten or more points you are unacceptable for a job
offer.
Mr. Fennoy: Okay.
Ms. Williams: This is the current scoring mechanism which was attached in the backup
documentation because it’s kind of hard to explain. But the total score, what would be
acceptable and not acceptable, is not to change this policy. Just the number of years you look at
and the way that credits are awarded.
Mr. Fennoy: Okay.
Ms. Williams: That’s the only change.
Mr. Fennoy: I think it’s and I guess my, I’m just trying to get this clear. And so the
years that I don’t have any infractions on my record would be it’s been four years and no
infractions that would be four points that would be deducted.
Ms. Williams: Yes, sir.
Mr. Fennoy: Okay and if I fall within the total score then I would be qualified for
employment with Richmond County.
Ms. Williams: Yes, sir.
Mr. Fennoy: Okay.
Mr. Mayor: I’ll give you two more.
Mr. Fennoy: Okay. I would like to ask I think Ms. Wilson is the one that brought this to
the table to ask her why she brought this to the table and if it’s okay with you, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: Sure.
Mr. Fennoy: And that would be my last question.
Mr. Mayor: Ms. Wilson.
42
Ms. Wilson: Hi, thank you for taking this up. I brought this forward because if you look
at the way the points are scored all of the points are scored or all of the infractions are scored
individually. So if you’ve got a driving, if you got a ticket and if that’s focused down a bit more
and let’s say you got a reckless driving and a speeding at over 15 miles per hour you got two of
those. And you got that seven years ago then all of those points are added and counted seven
years ago. So each one is multiplied so a reckless driving would be is that six points or eight
points? And then if you got a speeding ticket of three then you’re at eleven. If you got let’s say
a failure to yield you’re at twelve. Now if this took place seven years ago you were 18 or even
16 or whatever and you were applying for a job not 100% driving but you do have to do some
driving, the way the current system right now is applied that person even though they could be
the most qualified person and have not had any driving incidences for three years which is what
the insurance standard is would not be able to be offered a job in Richmond Augusta Richmond
County because they would’ve had too many points. And those points would’ve been based on
seven years ago. You know and I understand that and that’s why I brought it forth as far as
making a recommendation to the Finance Director to have that go to committee and to go
through the Administrative Committee and go through the proper channels based on what I was
told was the proper channel to look at his policy. I think that as we are looking at trying to get
the best people to come and work in Augusta Richmond County we need to at least hopefully be
comparable to what our peers are doing. So therefore we did a survey and we looked at what
everyone else was doing with regards to driving policy and the recommendation is comparable.
In fact it’s still more restringent because everybody else uses three years. If somebody has a lot
of driving points then they go further out past the three years. So I’m just trying to as I am
looking at recruiting people and as other colleagues are looking at recruiting people that have
some driving make sure that we’re competitive and that we’re getting the best people possible
and that we’re not being hindered by (unintelligible).
Mr. Fennoy: And, Mr. Mayor, and I appreciate that and I think I talked with
representative from the Fire Department and because of this existing policy they have a lot of
times find bringing new firemen on board because of something they did a long ago they’re still
impacting them.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you, sir. Are you finished?
Mr. Fennoy: I’m finished.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Mason.
Mr. Mason: Thank you, Mr. Mayor, I’ve got another question as it relates to this sheet
that I have in front of me here. When you’re determining these scores and I’m seeing the ten or
more unacceptable, seven to nine questionable and so forth. As it relates to hiring an individual
all things being equal and whatnot, I’m going to say for instance they have a seven to nine which
is a questionable but it falls within the range of being hired are they hired?
Mr. Crozier: Yes.
43
Ms. Williams: That is still up to the department director ---
Mr. Mason: Hold on, I’m hearing a yes and then ---
Ms. Williams: They can be. They are still eligible to being hired.
Mr. Mason: Okay, so it’s can and yes are two different things. So that’s what I mean
about double standards what are we going to do when we fall into that category because I’m
hearing one thing which will have one action one time. Now I’m hearing something else which
will have another action another time and I’m trying to create fairness instead of unfairness. So
I’m going to ask that question again and maybe ya’ll want to get together before you come up
with an answer. Given the scenario I just gave you, will that person be hired all things being
equal they fall within they’re not unacceptable they’re questionable now?
Mr. Crozier: We make a recommendation to H.R. that the employee is eligible they fall
into the questionable category and if hired, they’re required to attend driver training. Then at
that point it’s the department’s decision to move forward with hiring them or not.
Mr. Mason: Okay.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Guilfoyle and then we’ve got a full agenda in front of
us so let’s try to move along. Commissioner Guilfoyle.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Thank you, Mr. Mayor, I understand that we need to go ahead and
proceed. Joe, you were talking about anybody that’s ten or more doesn’t have a chance
basically. All right. Can we let’s say somebody gets a reckless careless driving a six and then
actually if they get a speeding ticket that’s a three and then an improper legal lane change ---
Mr. Crozier: Eleven.
Mr. Guilfoyle: --- that’s right. Why do we look at the highest category which is the
reckless careless driving and because everything happens in that one day that one arrest but it
stacked all against him. I seen Donna just go, what I’m trying to do is get to where like the Fire
Department as well as some of the other people, how does other cities do it?
Mr. Crozier: Sir, I couldn’t tell you how other cities do it. I can tell you part of our
decision to give a points assessment for each incident is based on the fact that the Sheriff’s
Department listed it as a violation three different times for the reckless driving for the speeding
and that type of thing.
Mr. Guilfoyle: My only thing is insurance only goes back three years. If I was to get a
new car and get car insurance now a DUI would I guess stay on a little bit longer but regular ---
Ms. Williams: Insurance, the cost, you’re looking at State Farm or Farm Bureau or
whatever they have a very large pool to make up those loses. We are the insurance.
44
Mr. Guilfoyle: They’re not designed to be loss, to take losses.
Ms. Williams: Exactly and we’re not designing ourselves hopefully to be a total loss
either.
Mr. Guilfoyle: I mean they set the standard at three years.
Ms. Williams: But like I said they’ve got a larger pool. We have a limit because we are
our own insurance. We’re self-insured so while we certainly do want the best employees that we
can possibly have. You know I could hire accountants all day long that would have 47 points on
their driver’s license. It wouldn’t matter because I’m not putting them in a vehicle to go out.
I’m not letting them drive a fire truck. I’m not letting them operate heavy machinery and they’re
not, you know, they’re not driving down the streets of our subdivisions.
Mr. Guilfoyle: So this is just for safety sensitive positions.
Ms. Williams: This is for people who are required to drive as a greater portion of their
responsibility of their job description. All my accountants have to do is come back and forth to
work. I don’t care if somebody brings them or if they drive themselves but you have folks, you
have meter readers you have other individuals, Ms. Wilson’s inspectors, they’re required to
drive. They’ve got to go visit job sites. So this is only for those people that are required to drive
on behalf of Augusta Richmond County because we are liable for what they do.
Ms. Guilfoyle: Donna, I understand you’re doing your job and somebody else is trying to
get a job done. That’s the ---
Ms. Williams: Exactly.
Mr. Guilfoyle: --- I’ve got two directors that I think the world of and offer the position.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, Commissioner Williams and then let’s try to wrap this up.
Mr. Williams: Yes, sir, just quickly, Mr. Mayor. Donna brought something to my mind
when she said that she could hire a person in Finance that won’t be driving but we can’t have a
double, a double standard. If you’re going to get a job you may be subject to drive any time.
There’s not thing saying well the Administrator can’t drive a car or the doorman or anybody.
We cannot have double standards and that’s what Mr. Mason brought up just a few minutes ago.
If you hire a person and you’re going to look at their driving record, there ain’t no sense in
looking at that person’s driving record if they’re not going to be affected by transportation with
this government. And if you don’t look at that one and you can’t look at the man who’s going to
drive the dump truck down the Gordon Highway. So we can’t have double standards. Now we
either, it’s going to be and that’s going to be for everybody or not for everybody. I mean that’s
why I was saying earlier I mean I hate for people to act as if we don’t understand what is being
trying to be done from, Donna, I’m not saying I’m not calling no names now let’s play by the
rules because I’m trying my best to hold it today. It’s been a rough day but double standard is
not going to work, it’s five years of work seven years of work just do it. It’s been good for us we
45
had no complaints. Nobody came in and said hey you know I didn’t get the job because I had
something seven years ago. If you had something seven years ago and I really can forget about
that as quick as I can for five years ago. So it’s creating a double standard and I don’t know why
we even got to this point. All the problems we’ve got and we’re worried about a driving record
for somebody that potentially may be hired or may not be hired.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, Madam Clerk, for the sake of clarity could you please read back the
motion?
The Clerk: Yes, sir, it was to change the system to a four year driving history.
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion that’s been made and properly seconded. Commissioners
will now vote by the usual sign of voting.
Mr. Mason and Mr. Williams vote No.
Mr. Johnson and Mr. Lockett out.
Motion Passes 6-2.
Ms. Williams: Could I ask for a clarification, sir?
Mr. Mayor: Certainly because nothing was very clear after that. Go ahead.
Ms. Williams: The policy that was presented was five years with a three year credit.
And if the five year was questionable then you look at the seven. Now is only the four year
length of time or are you just looking at four and score four without any credit or?
Mr. Mayor: Would you clarify that, Mr. Guilfoyle?
Ms. Williams: --- because we’ve got to rewrite ---
Mr. Williams: You can’t clarify a motion after we done voted on it now.
Mr. Mayor: No, I well, ---
Mr. Williams: I mean if the motion’s been voted on, it’s been voted on. You can’t come
back now and (inaudible).
Mr. Mayor: Mr. MacKenzie, just the agenda item has been disposed of.
Mr. MacKenzie: If the result of the vote has been announced my recommendation would
be a motion to reconsider Item 10.
Mr. Mayor: Can we get a motion to reconsider the item that would not die? Agenda
Item Number 10. No, okay. We’ll get some clarity at a later point. Maybe you and Wayne can
get together. Madam Clerk, on to the next pulled agenda item, Item Number 11 I believe.
46
The Clerk:
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
11. Motion to approve Law Department reorganization to include reclassifying vacant
staff attorney position to deputy general counsel, eliminating an administrative clerk
position and temporary positions and creating a paralegal position. (Approved by
Administrative Services Committee July 7, 2014)
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams, was this your pull?
Mr. Williams: Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor, I’ve got some serious heartburn when we’re talking
about reclassifying. And I’ve got a few questions I need to ask the Law Department, the
Attorney I guess. First of all when we’re talking about reclassifying there’s always somebody
that comes out short. Who’s going to lose their job if we reclassify this?
Mr. MacKenzie: Sure, I’m actually glad you asked ---
Mr. Mayor: Mr. MacKenzie.
Mr. MacKenzie: --- that question. We’ve discussed this in committee. This is being
presented at a time in which it will not have an impact on any existing positions. It’s only going
to alter positions that are either currently vacant right now or positions that are anticipated to be
vacant as a result of a retirement that will occur in October. So there won’t be anybody that’s
going to be affected by the position.
Mr. Williams: What do you mean there’s a retirement going to be in October? Now help
me out with that.
Mr. MacKenzie: Sure, one of the members of our staff has made an announcement they
intend to retire in October. That will create a vacancy. This is a phased approach whereby the
first part of the reorganization can occur now and when that position becomes vacant then the
second phase can occur so that it will have no impact on current positions.
Mr. Williams: Well, I’ve been here when we had employees to announce retirement and
put their papers in and then pull their papers out. I mean so I don’t understand how we can go
now if that’s going to happen in October. Why can’t we wait until that happens then we’ve got a
clear understanding because it’s been too many times we reclassify and some people got put out
the door so to speak? So I got no problem with it with what you want to do but I just think that
we need to wait until at least that point before we go ahead and do something now.
Mr. MacKenzie: Well, what that would mean is in the event that the retirement didn’t
occur in October, there would insufficient funding to move forward with Phase 2 would
otherwise have no impact on the recommendation that we could ahead with the first phase of the
reorganization.
47
Mr. Williams: So that’s why I’m saying we ought to get a hold of it until because it
would have no impact. I mean there wouldn’t be any need in doing something now like you just
stated because there wouldn’t, if that doesn’t occur then we wouldn’t, you know, we’d be at the
same spot we are now.
Mr. MacKenzie: Well, if I can respond to that.
Mr. Mayor: Mr. MacKenzie.
Mr. MacKenzie: What I’m making a recommendation to do is a two phase. The second
phase will not occur until October or until such time when the other funding becomes available
to implement the second stage. The reason I’m asking to move forward now so that we can
begin to realize the efficiencies of being able to move forward with the first phase and in the
event the second phase funding becomes available move forward with the second phase.
Mr. Williams: Well, first, second or third it doesn’t make no difference to me. I’m not in
agreement with this, Mr. MacKenzie. I think we if because it’s been told several times and when
we were reorganizing this government it ended up somebody being put out so to speak or ended
up losing their job. Now can you reassure this Commission that no one was going to lose their
job? Is that, I mean because if that doesn’t happen if we okay this it’s too late to close the gate
then because we already done okayed it. So I’m asking you can you reassure this Commission
that no one is going to lose their position with this reorganization?
Mr. MacKenzie: Yes, I can. The reason for that is this is a revenue neutral
reorganization. The only way we’d have the additional funding to do Phase 2 is if the retirement
occurs. If that doesn’t happen, then we can’t do anything else without that revenue from that
position.
Mr. Williams: Okay, I’m going to make a motion to approve with the caveat that if there
is not a retirement and no one has retired in that position that this move or this approval be null
and void that we won’t have, I mean we’ll be at the same spot.
Mr. MacKenzie: Can I just clarify ---
Mr. Mayor: Mr. MacKenzie.
Mr. MacKenzie: --- Phase 2 because Phase 1 will already be implemented by the time
October comes.
Mr. Williams: Okay, now what happened to Phase 1 then. Explain Phase 1.
Mr. MacKenzie: Phase 1 is the reorganization portion which would allow for us to have
a Deputy General Counsel position to be implemented on existing funding which would not
require any of the funding from the Phase 2 and to move forward with filling the vacancies as a
result of that.
48
Mr. Mayor: I’ll give you two more.
Mr. Williams: Okay thank you Mr. Mayor. Have you already decided on those
positions? Have you already got?
Mr. MacKenzie: I’m going to follow the procedures as required by the Policies and
Procedures Manual which is to go through a competitive selection process.
Mr. Williams: Now you know Andrew better than anybody the Policies and Procedures
Manual has been in bad shape for a long time, I can’t trust that and I don’t think you can. The
Policies and Procedures Manual has got some flaws that we’ve been talking about for quite some
time. I’m just trying to figure out a way to help you and trying a way to get it to where you need
to be but I don’t think we could go to the first stage and not knowing what the second stage is
going to be.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Mason.
Mr. Mason:
Thank you, Mr. Mayor, and hopefully this will help us out here. First and
foremost I’ve been asked by the Administrative Services Chair if we could push this back to
committee. And secondly for my own purposes I’ve got a copy of the minutes from 2011 when
we went through this reorganization and I’ve got several questions that I asked even back then
that were not appropriately addressed and don’t want to sit here and do that today but that’s
certainly something that we would have time for at the Administrative Services Committee we
can hash those out and I think we could find a path forward. So if it’s appropriate or if it’s okay
move this back to committee for further discussion
with my colleagues I would say that we
and then bring back a recommendation
because we’ve been here for quite some time already.
Mr. Mayor: And you’re putting that in the form of a motion.
Mr. Mason: Yes, sir.
Mr. Mayor: Do we have a second on that?
Mr. Jackson: Second.
Mr. Mayor: We have motion that’s been made and properly seconded. If there’s no
further discussion Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign.
Mr. Guilfoyle votes No.
Mr. Johnson and Mr. Lockett out.
Motion Passes 7-1.
Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, on to the next pulled agenda item please.
The Clerk:
49
ENGINEERING SERVICES
38. Motion to approve construction contract award to Blair Construction in the amount of
$1,115,315.52 for Bid Item 14-417 Gordon Highway 30 Inch Water Main Project.
(Approved by Engineering Services Committee July 7, 2014)
Mr. Jackson: Move to approve.
Mr. Grady Smith: Second.
Mr. Mayor: We have motion that’s been made and properly seconded. Commissioner
Williams.
Mr. Williams: Thank you, sir. My colleagues are on the money today, they’re ready to
go. Tom, I just needed to get some information about Gordon Highway and where are we doing
this work at on Tubman Home Road and Gordon Highway. When it rains over an hour the
whole entire parking lot floods out there at the BiLo and Burger King. So I was wondering this
million, one-hundred fifteen thousand where we doing that work at?
Mr. Wiedmeier: This is going to run from Barton Chapel Road west. We’ve got several
projects to improve our transmission capabilities out the Gordon Highway corridor in support of
the fort.
Mr. Williams: Okay, I’m not opposed to the project, I just want to know was it down that
end that’s all. Maybe you haven’t gotten down that far with some stuff. We’ve got several like
you say but I was just making sure where that project was going. I’ve got no problem with it,
Mr. Mayor, I’m not against the project.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, thank you, sir. Commissioner Smith.
Mr. D. Smith: I withdraw, Mr. Mayor. Thank you.
Mr. Mayor: What’s that?
Mr. D. Smith: I withdraw.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. We have a motion that’s been made and property seconded. If
there’s no further discussion Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign of voting.
Mr. Johnson and Mr. Lockett out.
Motion Passes 8-0.
Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, on to the next pulled agenda item please.
The Clerk:
ENGINEERING SERVICES
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39. Motion to approve award to GPM Environmental in the amount of $828,075.00 for Bid
Item #14-146 Goodrich Street Raw Water Pumping Station. (Approved by Engineering
Services Committee July 7, 2014)
Mr. Jackson: Move to approve.
Mr. G. Smith: Second.
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion that’s been made and properly seconded. Commissioner
Williams.
Mr. Williams: Yes, sir, Tom, I need some insight on Goodrich Street. I thought we were
doing we had got to the point where we were doing a lot of this work ourselves and I thought
Goodrich Street had really gotten everything taken care of. How much more work is going to be
following this work after the design work here on ---
Mr. Wiedmeier: There’ll be one more bid to actually install, the Commission has already
approved the purchase of two new turbines. These are the pumps that will go with the turbines
and then the construction project to install them and build a new operations building will be
coming. So we should be, have that to Procurement shortly.
Mr. Williams: The old equipment the old facility up there, where are we with that?
That’s going to be replaced?
Mr. Wiedmeier: Well, it’s, we’re primarily pumping with turbines. When one goes
down we have to rely on the diesels which is extremely expensive to operate those. This is going
to give us raw water pumping capability for quite some time and redundancy.
Mr. Williams: Okay, no problem. My colleague made a motion to approve so I’m in
support.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, we have a motion that’s been made and properly seconded. If there’s
no further discussion Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign.
Mr. Johnson and Mr. Lockett out.
Motion Passes 8-0.
Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, next pulled agenda item please.
The Clerk:
ENGINEERING SERVICES
40. Motion to approve engineering services agreement with Pond and Company in the
amount of $32,250.00 to design the relocation of water mains for the Berckman Road
Widening and Realignment Phase 1 project. (Approved by Engineering Services
Committee July 7, 2014)
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Mr. Jackson: Move to approve.
Mr. G. Smith: Second.
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion that’s been made and properly seconded. Commissioner
Williams.
Mr. Williams: Tom ---
Mr. Mayor: You’re on again.
Mr. Williams: --- you’re on again. Tom, tell me something about Berckman Road. Now
what exactly what, where we are with that? Wasn’t we supposed to be doing something with the
closure there at one point?
Mr. Wiedmeier: This is entirely, this is ---
Mr. Williams: I understand but the closure is coming and TSPLOST money I think is
supposed to be taking care of that now. There was supposed to have some other money and they
got turned around. But TSPLOST money is handling it. TSPLOST money won’t help us with
this at all?
Mr. Wiedmeier: Well, I’m, we’ve had some preliminary conversations with the
Engineering Department and I hope that the TSPLOST money will pay for the relocation. We’re
paying for the design out of our funds. But those conversations are continuing.
Mr. Williams: So we are hopeful now. I mean if it’s not done that means we’re going to
change sources again. But they know you’ve got plenty of money in water so the ---
Mr. Wiedmeier: That’s what people keep saying yes.
Mr. Williams: That’s right, that’s right water bill goes up every year. Anyway the
motion is to approve, Mr. Mayor, I’ve got no problem with it. I just want to know that I am
concerned and the TSPLOST is supposed to be closing up that road and then doing some more
work in there. And then when I heard, when I saw this I wanted to make sure that we are
working you know together as best we can to get all the dollars we can ---
Mr. Wiedmeier: Yes, sir.
Mr. Williams: --- to finish that.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you for your vigilance. If there’s no further discussion
Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign of voting.
Mr. Johnson and Mr. Lockett out.
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Motion Passes 8-0.
Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, next pulled agenda item I believe number 42.
The Clerk:
ENGINEERING SERVICES
42. Motion to approve designating recaptures SPLOST funds to complete the City’s way-
finding sign system. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee July 7, 2014)
Mr. Jackson: Move to approve.
Mr. G. Smith: Second.
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion that’s been made and properly seconded. Commissioner
Guilfoyle.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Yes, sir, I just wanted for clarification, as far as the funding it’s going to
be coming out of SPLOST Phase 2 Fund Balance account. I don’t think that was given last week
so it’s clarified today and it’s for the record.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you, sir. Commissioner Williams.
Mr. Williams: Yes, sir. Is it recaptured SPLOST funds and it’s only coming from one
and my colleague just said it came from what now?
Mr. Guilfoyle: SPLOST number Phase 2 Fund Balance.
Mr. Williams: Okay, now have we swept those accounts? Do we know how much is
there how much?
Mr. Guilfoyle: I didn’t do it personally but I think it’s ten $100,000 dollars.
Mr. Mayor: It’s what?
Mr. Jackson: Ten one-hundred thousand.
Mr. Mayor: Ten one-hundred thousand.
Mr. G. Smith: That’s the new math.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams.
Mr. Williams: Can anybody give me the numbers as what’s left there? I mean because,
you know, I mean this ain’t my money and it don’t belong to ya’ll either now we need to act like
53
it belongs to somebody. I just need to know. I don’t think Barry has a problem with it do you,
Barry?
Mr. White: I don’t have a problem (inaudible).
Mr. Williams: You don’t have a problem but I wonder how much more is left there.
Anybody can tell me what we got?
Mr. Mayor: Ms. Allen.
Ms. Allen: Yes, Commissioner Williams, I have Tim Schroer on his way in to give you
that update.
Mr. Mayor: Let’s throw it around the horn to Mr. Schroer. Tim, you’re up.
Mr. Schroer: Currently in Phase 2 we have a total fund balance of $2.1 million dollars.
We have one project left that has approximately $900,000 dollars remaining to finish that project
leaving us an unallocated fund balance of $1.2 million. So the request I believe is a million
dollars. That would leave us with $200,000 dollars in unallocated fund balance.
Mr. Williams: Okay, Barry, is there anything else while we’re in that fund balance that
should be done at the same time?
Mr. White: Not that I can think of right now. We think that it would probably take about
twelve months to get this project completed once the funds are released.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, I saw Commissioner Fennoy first then I’ll come back down the line
Commissioner Mason, Commissioner Guilfoyle.
Mr. Fennoy: Barry, will, I see you have a list of facilities that’s going to be on the sign
projects. I guess with the money that you get for this project if we need additional signs for
different structures or projects that may come up in the future will this take of that or you’ll come
back and ask for some more?
Mr. White: This, these funds will take care of the plan that’s in, that’s been scheduled
right now. If we have a new facility open or something that needs signage it will take a little bit
of additional money to do that. I have a, I believe this is actually going to take more than a
million dollars to complete and we’re going to have to do some updating because some things
have changed a few streets have changed and that type of thing but we’re prepared to either
cover or raise the additional funds needed to do that.
Mr. Fennoy: Okay. And I guess my next question like the swim center and The Patch,
the Municipal Golf Course, will they be on the same sign or are they each going to have their
own individual sign.
Mr. White: It depends on how ---
54
Mr. Fennoy: Location?
Mr. White: --- yes, where they are but both of those facilities will be signed too, yes.
Mr. Fennoy: Okay. All right.
Mr. Mayor: And, Barry, just before we move on I did want to touch on something. This
is truly a great example of a public private partnership. Could you speak about the private
monies that have been raised to invest in this project as well?
Mr. White: It is and there’s even a little bit of federal money in there as well ---
Mr. Mayor: Even better.
Mr. White: --- from the public side. When the initial planning was done with a $50,000
dollar grant from the federal government through Preserve America and then we, and that was on
behalf of the city we raised the $50,000 match that was needed privately and the plan was done
so the city benefited from the $100,000 dollar plan. To date there’s been about $143,000 dollars
invested by the city in the signs that you see in the ground and almost $400,000 dollars from
private sector and other parties. So we’ve got about a half million dollars’ worth of signs in the
ground right now and the city’s cash outlay to date has been about one hundred and forty three.
Mr. Mayor: That’s a good return on investment to me. Commissioner Mason then
Commissioner Guilfoyle.
Mr. Mason: Sounds great. Barry, this is not really even for you and I certainly
appreciate what you’re bringing forward but, Tim, these utilizations of SPLOST funds is what
they’re being used for is this light project type monies? You kind of see where I’m going with
this, you know, monies that’s supposed to be set aside specifically SPLOST for specific reasons
and purposes? Does this fall under the light project that you could take that money and use it
for?
Mr. Schroer: Yes, sir, this is what we would consider a roadway project or SPLOST is
the reason we recommended SPLOST 2 is as the oldest SPLOST we’re trying to finish off that
SPLOST and make all, finish the projects. That was one of the first two SPLOSTs and there was
no specific project list. It was very general of roads, streets, bridges so this would qualify for
SPLOST projects, sir.
Mr. Mason: Well, great, since you said that and he’s only asking for a million dollars and
there’s $1.2 million there that leaves about $200,000 left. Now given the fact that we’ve been
really talking about our Cyber Command and Fort Gordon and we have an area specifically
Tobacco Road from the airport to the Fort that could use some beautification of its roads and
areas. Isn’t that what some of it would fall up underneath?
55
Mr. Schroer: Beautification gets into that gray area of maintenance versus actual
infrastructure ---
Mr. Mason: Every time it comes to south Augusta, it’s a gray area.
Mr. Schroer: No, sir, it’s not, it’s not the location, it’s the project.
Mr. Mason: I hear you.
Mr. Schroer: The road signs are an infrastructure type project. Maintenance that ---
Mr. Mason: All right, so let’s get some good road signs going from the airports where all
of our soldiers and civilians come in and ride that street going down to the Fort and get some
appropriate signage going on from the airport to the Fort which is the straightest thoroughfare
and the most widely used thoroughfare to get our folks from the airport to the Fort.
Mr. Mayor: Well and ---
Mr. Schroer: Yes, that would be a qualified (inaudible).
Mr. Mayor: --- let me just suggest that with the CVB taking the lead on the signage if
that would be a good thing to request of them to come forward with the proposal in the $200,000
range as to what they could do with regards to signage going from the airport to the Fort.
Mr. Mason: I think that would be wonderful. So let’s make sure, I mean I would
certainly support it if we include that in. That’s gives you additional monies to do great things
out in an area that’s greatly needed and utilized by the way for those dignitaries and our soldiers
who defend this nation to be able to come through and understand where they’re going from
Point A to Point B. That would be great. Is there a motion on the table?
Mr. Mayor: There is a motion to approve that’s been made and properly seconded.
motion like to, amend their motion to include within that to request
Would the maker of the
that the CVB look into a $200,000 dollar project to address Tobacco Road from the Airport
to Fort Gordon.
Mr. Jackson: Yes, I would, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mason: Amen.
Mr. Mayor: Great. Commissioner Guilfoyle then Commissioner Williams.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Well, actually I appreciate each and every one of my colleagues because
you made it happen. I was going to try and address some of the issues and I thank you for that,
Mr. Mason.
Mr. Mason: Thank you.
56
Mr. Guilfoyle: Mr. White, I appreciate you coming before us you and you staff with the
CVB making things happen in Augusta making it easier for visitors to come in and appreciate
coming in. Thank you.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams.
Mr. Williams: Barry, I need you to give me a call to sit down and talk with you. I just
got in today from New Orleans and there’s some things that I saw there that I would love to
share with you concerning signage. Also I had a complaint that was brought to my attention
when I got off the plane about the tree overgrowth at the Airport out there. And I see the director
sitting out there but some lady was (inaudible) when we came in they don’t know about our trip
tell them about them trees out there. But I do want to sit down with you Barry and talk to you
about some things that I saw that we need to just look at and just see how we can do some
signage and what everybody else is doing and that’ll work for us too, okay?
Mr. White: Absolutely.
Mr. Williams: Thank you.
Mr. Mayor: A motion’s been made and properly seconded. If there’s no further
discussion Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign.
Mr. Johnson and Mr. Lockett out.
Motion Passes 8-0.
Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, on to the regular agenda and thank you, Barry.
The Clerk:
PLANNING
46. Z-14-36 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission to
deny a petition by Henry Wise, on behalf of Shandrell Wise, requesting a Special Exception
to establish a Family Personal Care Home per Section 26-1 (H) of the Comprehensive
Zoning Ordinance affecting property containing .57 acres and known as 2925 Deans Bridge
Road. Tax Map 085-3-252-00-0. Postponed from the June 2, 2014 hearing-District 5.
Mr. Mayor: Ms. Wilson.
Ms. Wilson: Yes, and the and because of time I won’t pull up slides. The Planning
Board met and heard this item at their last meeting. There were a number of people in
attendance that were against this request for a Personal Care Home. Some of the reasons from
the objectors that we heard ranged anywhere from people wondering to people actually living in
the personal care facility. From a staff standpoint when we went to look at it we went to look at
it and looked at multiple things. We looked at the structure itself. We also looked at the location
and whether there was going to be any issues regarding public health and safety. This property is
57
located on a major highway. It’s less than 100 feet from that major highway. There are no
sidewalks on Deans Bridge Road. From our investigation there were some issues. Currently
they are operating without a license. There’s lack of care and supervision and this is an
observation. The home needs to have major repairs as well as an HVAC system put in place per
state law. And again Deans Bridge Road is a major road with fast traffic. The speed limit there
is between 50 and 55 miles per hour so that’s, that’s a general overview with regards to this case.
The Planning Board voted unanimously to recommend denial of this request. The staff’s
recommendation is for denial and the reason was based on public health and safety.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Jackson.
Mr. Jackson: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I make a motion to deny.
Mr. Grady Smith: Second.
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion that’s been made and properly seconded. Is the applicant
here? Okay, sir, and if you could state your name and address for the record and I’ll give you
five minutes to make your case.
Mr. Wise: Henry Wise, 2155 Ramblewood Drive in Augusta, Georgia. The issue that
they speak of has been addressed. When we initially bought the house we didn’t want it to be
vacant so we rented it out to a tenant whose conduct was unbecoming and of course by law we
gave them 30 days to vacate the premises. And when the court report came out about some
rotten wood complaints from the neighbors, you know, we did what we could to address those
issues for like I said vacated the tenants removing the rotten wood. We even came in a put in a
fire alarm system. There’s codes you have to have in order to open up a Personal Care Home so
any issues that were brought forth we did our best effort to address and we’ll continue to address
them. And as far as no supervision at the home at the time when I guess law enforcement was
called out like I said was rented out the facilities it was not supervised because we hadn’t moved
anybody in there. We applied for the license I mean we’re not going to move anybody in until
we get the license. As far as someone living in there I think my daughter Shandrell who’s here
now was renting out to a family member on her side like I said to folks so it wouldn’t be vacant.
But there are other businesses on that same side I mean as far as there’s I think there’s another
nursing home further down the street. There’s a Family Dollar down the street there’s a battery
place there’s a lot of businesses in that area that is true. And for the privacy factor we’re in the
process of erecting a privacy fence so to go around so the neighbors wouldn’t have to engage in
any activity or seeing activity on their property. And as far as the patients that would be there it
would be disabled and elderly people like I said. And the fence will prevent the only exit as far
as the highway would be in case of a fire or something like that. So we’re trying to address all
the safety concerns.
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
Mr. Williams: Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams.
58
Mr. Williams: Thank you. I need to ask a question I guess to License and Inspection not
to Planning and Zoning. Would this young man have an opportunity to come back and renovate
or resolve those issues then have a chance or does this, exactly what does this do?
Ms. Wilson: He ---
Mr. Mayor: Ms. Wilson.
Ms. Wilson: --- would have the opportunity within I think it’s six months to come back
to make a request for the same use. As far as the location of the house that’s not going to go
away. You can’t put up a six foot fence in the front of their house which is what initially they
were talking about doing. And Gordon Highway is not going, you know, that roadway is not
going anywhere, Deans Bridge, I’m sorry. I’ve got Gordon Highway on the brain for some
reason. But Deans Bridge Road is not going it’s not going to change. The speed limit is still the
same. The only way that that would really be a safe condition based on where that is located
would be if the house were sitting back off the road a lot further than what it is and you had
proper supervision. There was operation and activity and that was discussed and brought up at
the Planning Commission meeting where there were a couple people living there. They weren’t
properly supervised. Some of the neighbors and I’m not sure if any of them are still here but we
had several folks that lived in the neighborhood that came forward and talked about the fact that
people were coming over talking with the neighbors asking for money for food as well as a
person, one of their, one of the people that was staying there was wandering into another
neighbor’s yard and had some issues I will not go into detail about that. But it’s one of those
situations where right now there’s not a good record with regards of them operating a responsible
business and there’s no way at this point that I can see how they could operate that business
safely in light of the fact that it’s so close to Deans Bridge Road.
Mr. Williams: Well, I didn’t want this young man to invest any more money and time in
a facility that’s not going to be doable for what he needs to do. And I think he should be told
that versus saying that he can come back in six months after investing that money would be a
waste of money to go ahead and try to get the property up to standards. And even though the
property gets up to standards because of where it’s located and, you know, you’ve spent some
good money to put in a piece of property that you can’t use it for what you want to use it for. So
I would suggest that you, you go back and reevaluate what you want to do. You’ll still maybe do
it at another location and maybe convert that into something else and sell that property, I don’t
know. I’d like to help you if I could but we got guidelines to go by and what I’m hearing from
the director here that even if the house and everything was in order there’s a busy highway and
the proximity of the house to the highway wouldn’t work for what you want to do. So I just
think there ought to be a clear point but thank you, Mr. Mayor, (inaudible).
Mr. Mayor: Okay, thank you. A motion has been made and properly seconded. Just for
clarity, Madam Clerk, that motion was to uphold the recommendation of the Planning
Department and deny the request.
The Clerk: Yes, sir, that’s correct.
59
Mr. Mayor: If there’s no further discussion Commissioners will now vote by the usual
sign.
Mr. Fennoy votes No.
Mr. Lockett and Mr. Johnson out.
Motion Passes 7-1.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Madam Clerk. On to the next agenda item please.
Mr. Wise: Thank you, Commission.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you, sir.
The Clerk:
PLANNING
47. Z-14-37 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Georgia Planning Commission
to deny a petition by Shiva Vuppula, on behalf of Gouri Vuppula, requesting a change of
zoning from Zone R-1A (One-Family Residential) to Zone B-1 (Neighborhood Business)
affecting property containing .93 acres and known as 2903 Meadowbrook Drive. Tax Map
120-0-010-04-0 – District 5.
Mr. Mayor: Ms. Wilson.
Ms. Wilson: Yes, again if someone wants to look at the photos I’ll be glad to show the
slides, however, this property is located at 2903 Meadowbrook Drive and at the Planning
Commission meeting there were a number of citizens there that expressed concern to the
rezoning change. We had 64 signatures on a petition of opposition with four citizens that
attended that were in support of the request. The Comprehensive Plan recommends low density
in single family development for that area. It is our goal that we protect the development in that
area from an encroachment of conflicting land use issues. In this case this is a property that’s in
the middle of a well maintained area. There are convenience stores of this type less than a mile
in either direction of this site location. The convenience store is proposing to not only sell
convenience products but they’ve also applied for an alcohol license to do beer and wine sales.
The, after looking at this and looking at the Comprehensive Plan the staff recommends denial of
this request. The Planning Board recommended denial of this request as well.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Mayor: Is there a motion on that? Commissioner Guilfoyle.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Ms. Wilson, at the Planning and Zoning meeting where this was denied
did we have people come out?
Ms. Wilson: Yes, we had, we had a room full of people. They submitted a petition with
64 signatures. We had seven people that spoke. I would say we probably had about 25-30
60
people. We had our meeting at during that time in a smaller conference room because you all
were having a, using this facility but there were a large number of people that came out in
opposition of this request. And again they’re very, very passionate and they made a good case
and they pointed out that they have two convenience stores located less than a mile from each
other. And felt that ---
Mr. Guilfoyle: Somebody needs to turn off their phone. I’m sorry, Ms. Wilson.
Mr. G. Smith: Want me to answer it?
Ms. Wilson: --- but from a staff standpoint we looked at it. Just if you want to get a little
bit of history previously there were requests to rezone this property and they were denied. The
last rezoning that was approved on this property was for a daycare center something that was
very low density from the standpoint of the use and that would not create a lot of, you know,
impact with regards to the neighborhood.
Mr. Guilfoyle: But if you have a convenience store on each side of it one mile away are
we going to get into any kind of controversy where we had approved them in the past and not
this one?
Ms. Wilson: No, because the convenience stores are located again they’re within a mile
on each side. I’m assuming, I was not here, that they were consistent with the land use patterns
at that time. They’re located on major roadways and intersections. They’re not located on a
minor that is part of a neighborhood. This is a neighborhood property that is basically a
neighborhood excuse me a residential piece of property that if you were to see it normally you
would think that’s probably where a house is going to go where they want to put in a
convenience store.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Okay, I was just asking because I know the owners personally. They
have a store right there at 88 and Windsor Spring Road. They keep it clean, they’re getting to
know the patrons who visit their establishments and I didn’t know if they had tried to reach out
to the people that was in protest to come with some kind of solution or compromise. All I see is
a head in the background bobbing yes and no. Thank you, Ms. Wilson.
Ms. Wilson: You’re welcome.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, Commissioner Smith.
Mr. D. Smith: Ms. Wilson, thank you. I realize that this is not in west Augusta but I
happen to know a little bit about south Augusta too. Which end of Deans Bridge, I mean
Meadowbrook, is this closer to Deans Bridge or Windsor Spring?
Ms. Wilson: I probably should put it up. It’s the half-way point. That’s the right in the
middle ---
Mr. D. Smith: So it’s close to Red Drive and Rolling Meadows and ---
61
Ms. Wilson: Yes.
Mr. D. Smith: --- and those neighborhoods in there which have been out there since the
60’s. Those are neighborhoods that have been there since the 60’s.
Ms. Wilson: That’s correct.
Mr. D. Smith: Okay, that’s all I needed ---
Ms. Wilson: Like I said it’s not consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.
Mr. D. Smith: That’s all I needed to know. Thank you.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams.
Mr. Williams: Are we refusing this because the neighbors complained in opposition or
are we refusing because they don’t fit the guidelines? I’m trying to figure it out because I heard
you say there’s a convenience store on both ends. But are we refusing it because it doesn’t meet
the guidelines in what way I guess is what I’m asking.
Ms. Wilson: We’re recommending denial of it because it’s not consistent with the
guidelines that we currently have in place or the policy that you have in place.
Mr. Williams: Well, it’s on Meadowbrook, it’s not in the neighborhood and when I say
on Meadowbrook I don’t, I can’t visualize the site right now, I’m just thinking it’s on
Meadowbrook which is a main thoroughfare which is a corner lot I heard somebody say.
Somebody done said it was a corner lot there.
Mr. G. Smith: They’re right in the middle of Meadowbrook.
Ms. Wilson: It’s ---
Mr. Mayor: Ms. Wilson.
Ms. Wilson: --- I was going to say I’ll let you finish and I’ll be glad to put up a map if
that will help you.
Mr. Williams: Well, I ---
Ms. Wilson: But the point is that this area is an area that has been identified for low
density development. And in the past a Special Exception was granted for a daycare center
which is considered low density. This is introducing a B-1 or a business use in a low density
neighborhood on a low density thoroughfare. And it might be a roadway that ---
62
Mr. Williams: Were there stipulations when it was done that it would revert back to the
neighborhood I mean the residential situation or did we change that and we do sometimes. We
changed that and didn’t specify because you can specify that once it ceases to be whatever we
changed it to in the beginning, it reverts back to what it was in the beginning. Now I guess I’m
asking that question was that specified or not because that could be a bearing on this too.
Ms. Wilson: Well, in 1986 that’s when the initial application for a Special Exception for
a daycare center was approved. That never moved forward and that reverted back because the
Special Exception expires if you don’t move forward to implement it. In 1998 the Augusta
Commission denied a petition for proposed daycare center because at that time the daycare
center use was deemed to be more intense than a single family neighborhood. So in 1998 the
case was denied for even a daycare center. It is the hope of the people that live out in the
community that that area still remain and have as much residential character as possible. And
from looking at the land use patterns and looking at what the plan is that you all have approved it
does not support having a B-1 use right there at that location.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, would anybody like to make a motion on this? Commissioner Smith.
Mr. Grady Smith: I make a motion we deny.
Mr. Mayor: Is there a second?
Mr. Fennoy: Second.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, can we hear from the petitioner?
Mr. Vuppula: My name is Shiva Vuppula, 42903 Meadowbrook Drive.
Mr. Mayor: And if you could keep it to five minutes, please, sir.
Mr. Vuppula: Yes, sir. I’m in commercial business. I’m in business for 20 years and I
run clean businesses and I’ve never had any problems with the law or any underage selling of
beer or alcohol. And when we were at that meeting there were only six people and then four
people supported me and then six people supported that. And then there were only three people
spoke against the business. And then they were talking about being traffic and you know there’ll
be kids coming over to the store and get killed on the freeway I mean on the Meadowbrook
Drive. But that’s not going to happen because my store is very convenient for the neighborhood.
And there’s only one convenience store that’s on the other side of Meadowbrook where Deans
Bridge corner and then this side is a CVS Pharmacy so I’m in between. I’m very community
proud of the people also and then there were no, you know, a lot of people like she said you
know in the group that there were only six people so I mean.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, we have a motion that’s been made and properly seconded to uphold
to concur with the decision of the Planning Commission to deny the petition. If there’s no
further discussion Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign.
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Mr. Guilfoyle and Mr. Williams vote No.
Mr. Johnson and Mr. Lockett out.
Motion Passes 6-2.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Madam Clerk, on to the next, thank you, hey, we’re trying to
conduct a meeting here. Madam Clerk, on to the next agenda item.
The Clerk:
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
48. Discuss the Mercer Group Contract, lack of commission approval, state law and
procurement process. (Requested by Commissioner Marion Williams)
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams.
Mr. Williams: Yes, sir, Mr. Mayor, I’ve been talking about this process was flawed from
the beginning. It did not go through the proper procedures. There’s no minutes to indicate
anything. State law required that we have a record of what we voted on and what we do here.
We can’t just haphazardly do things thinking that it’s fine. So I wanted to bring this and I
brought this to the Commission and I talked about it before that we approved to get a headhunter
and that’s what the process was supposed to have been but we never approved that headhunter to
be the agency required to bring us back those candidates that we have. So I wanted to put that on
record again. And I don’t have a, I don’t have enough support to I mean the process has been
done now. But I done asked the Clerk for that process to be put in a book so we can understand
how and what we were supposed to have been doing and that didn’t happen. So what do we do
from here, Mr. Mayor, since the process is, has done took place and we need to make sure that
that doesn’t happen again. That process needs to follow the guidelines that the state law requires
us to follow. Now we can’t, the community can’t break the law then certainly this government
can’t break the law as well.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, thank you, Commissioner Williams. Can I get a motion to receive
this as information?
Mr. Jackson: So moved.
Mr. Mayor: Do we have a second?
Mr. Williams: (inaudible).
Mr. D. Smith: No, no as soon as this item’s over with I need to ask for clearance from
you.
Mr. Mayor: Do we have a second?
Mr. Guilfoyle: Second.
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Mr. Mayor: A motion’s been made and properly seconded. If there’s no further
discussion Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign.
Mr. Fennoy, Mr. Johnson and Mr. Lockett out.
Motion Passes 7-0.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Smith.
Mr. D. Smith: Mr. Mayor and my colleagues we’ve got an employee that’s been sitting
here for a long time, Mr. Huffman, Captain Huffman with one item on the agenda. Can we take
that next so that we can go on about his business then we can deal with these other issues?
Mr. Mayor: Which ---
Mr. D. Smith: Number 55.
Mr. Mayor: Yeah, I’d be happy to take that.
The Clerk:
ADMINISTRATOR
55. Information Only Approval for Sole-Source Purchase – Taser International.
Mr. Jackson: Move to approve.
Mr. G. Smith: Second.
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion that’s been made and properly seconded. If there is no
further discussion Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign.
Mr. Fennoy, Mr. Johnson and Mr. Lockett out.
Motion Passes 7-0.
Mr. D. Smith: Thank you, colleagues.
Mr. Mayor: Madam Clerk, next agenda item please.
The Clerk: Yes, sir, that’s Item 49 is to discuss a Memorandum of Understanding ---
Mr. Speaker: (inaudible).
The Clerk: Oh, I’m sorry.
Mr. Mayor: Fifty-two.
The Clerk:
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ENGINEERING SERVICES
52. Motion to approve the termination of the contract between Heery International and
Augusta, Georgia. (Requested by Commissioner Marion Williams)
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams.
Mr. Williams: I can’t get no motion. I thought they were going to shoot that motion and
a second for me.
Mr. Mason: Do you need a second?
Mr. Speaker: (inaudible) or what?
Mr. Williams: Well, the reason I had this put on the agenda, Mr. Mayor, with all of the
monies we just spent with this floor, this entire second floor it just come to my mind without
being ADA compliant those doors outside without handicapped accessible, the mikes are not
handicapped accessible, the dias’ are not handicapped accessible. We spent a lot of money with
Heery International and for them to be the project managers. I’m embarrassed to even tell
people that. So I placed this agenda item on the agenda to be to be terminated. So my motion is
to terminate Heery International contract with Augusta Richmond County.
Mr. Mason: Mr. Mayor, for the purposes of ---
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Mason.
Mr. Mason: --- thank you for the purposes of moving on with this item I’ll go ahead and
second that motion we can get an up and down vote and move on.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, we have a motion that’s been made and properly seconded. If there is
no further discussion to come before the Commission the Commission will now vote by the
usual sign.
Mr. Williams votes Yes.
Mr. Fennoy, Ms. Davis, Mr. Mason, Mr. D. Smith, Mr. Guilfoyle and Mr. G. Smith vote No.
Mr. Johnson, Mr. Lockett and Mr. Jackson out.
Motion Fails 1-6.
Mr. Williams: Madam Clerk, will you put that item back on the next commission agenda
for me?
The Clerk: Yes, sir.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, she’s got it coming. Let’s go ahead and move along. Madam Clerk,
next agenda item please.
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The Clerk: Is that Item 53?
Mr. Mayor: Fifty-three.
The Clerk:
ENGINEERING SERVICES
53. Motion to discuss short and long term effects of altering space allocations and
construction schedule in the Municipal Building as a result of commission action on 6/3/14.
(No recommendation from Engineering Services Committee July 7, 2014)
Mr. Mayor: Madam Administrator.
Ms. Allen: Mr. Mayor, members of the Commission, I have met with the project
manager as it relates to the changes that were implemented and approved by the Commission as
it relates to the Clerk of Commission’s relocation and how that actually would affect the actual
construction schedule. As we related before we had various departments that were affected and
this actual presentation will give you a little more in depth information on how they were
affected. First of all we looked at the Clerk of Commission’s timeline being tentatively set for
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the move in to take place on October the 1. That’s, you know, barring any other changes to the
schedule or any other situations that we may run into. The departments that will be affected is
one, Risk Management because right now they want to have an unscheduled second move. The
department will actually be moved into offices on the 3rd floor. And their final location which
was scheduled originally scheduled would be the 9th floor. Their original move date was August
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30 2014 and now we’re looking at roughly around October 12 2014. So really what this has
done is actually added about six weeks to the actual timeline. Procurement was, you know, they
already had bids and the things set for various dates because their original move date was
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December 5 2014. With this change they would actually have to make some accommodations
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for the early move because right now they’re focusing on getting the 6 floor prepared so that
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Procurement can be relocated to the 6 floor and then of course the Clerk of Commission could
be relocated down where the Procurement is currently being housed. So we’re looking at
moving their date forward to looking at September 2014 as opposed to their original December
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5 2014 date. The impact by delaying the 8 and 8 floors because now the major focus is going
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to be on the 6 floor in order for us to relocate Procurement so that they can make space for the
Clerk of Commission’s move. Finance Department and Accounting which is moving from the
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1 floor to the 8 floor will be as I stated earlier all of these dates that were actually scheduled
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has to be moved back approximately six weeks. So instead of September 4 they’re looking at
thrdst
October 16. The Tax Assessors who is moving from the 3 floor swing space to the 1 floor
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will actually be delayed from December 23 to roughly around February 2. Planning and
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Development which was scheduled to move around January 7 2015 is now looking at roughly
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February 21 of 2015 because we have to get the Tax Assessors office off of the 3 floor in
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order for the Planning and Development office to be able to move up to the entire 3 floor.
Other impacts would be the Finance Financial and Budgeting and Payroll which is scheduled to
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move from the 7 floor where they’re currently at to the 8 floor. Their original schedule of
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course was September the 4 2014 which has now been revised to October the 16 2014. The
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Marshal which has moved from the 7 floor to the swing space back to the finished 7 floor
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which was originally scheduled for December 5 we’re now looking at roughly around January
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16. And the Administrator’s office which is moving from the 4 floor where they currently are
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swing space because it’s temporary space of course to the 9 floor. We were looking at
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September 2 now we’re looking at roughly October the 16. Now again this is barring any
additional changes not being done and us proceeding with the schedule at hand. The other items
that are impacted by this and I was going to keep you abreast of that of these other departments.
Engineering will not have any new you know no new location for the Legal Department
therefore Engineering and Traffic Engineering area will have to stay where it currently is. And
then there is no, like we said, space for the Law Department which means they will actually have
to continue in the allotted space that they’re currently in. And as I’ve stated no you know due to
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the delays in starting the construction on the 8 and 9 floor the construction timeline has been
extended for a minimum of six weeks. The tentative new dates are based on construction on the
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8 and 9 floors beginning with your approval today for us to go ahead and proceed with
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finishing the 8 and 9 floor without any modifications or changes. And of course like I said is
subject to revisions or if there are any modifications this timeline again will be affected by that.
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The only other option that we looked at is modifying the 7 floor to accommodate the
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Administrator, the Marshall’s office and redesign the 9 floor to the Legal Department. That’s
outside of the Clerk of Commission already being relocated. So that would be the only other
thing that you may want to consider but if not we can continue as we are. Every other
department would be located where they currently are scheduled to be located and we can
continue with the completion of the construction of the Municipal Building. That $961,737
entails the $501,000 that was already previously approved by the Commission in regards to the
Clerk of Commission’s new location. So the action that we’ll actually need today is to determine
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the direction for the 9 floor if you want to proceed with doing anything on the 9 floor as it
relates to the Law Department and consider that option that was just presented or and discuss
whether or not to keep this building as an annex courthouse and start that process if we want to
continue as we currently are with it being an annex courthouse.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you, ma’am. Commissioner Williams then Commissioner Smith then
Commissioner Guilfoyle.
Mr. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Item 52 did not pass but I plan to keep pursuing
that just because of what the Assistant Administrator just brought to our attention. All of this
confusion, all of this mishap that’s costing the taxpayer’s more money for somebody who cannot
do the job that we paid them to do. And we’re sitting here acting like everything is fine with all
of these delays and all of the things that have been done. Had it been anyone else I think that
they would’ve been out of this kind of business. I’m really upset to the point that I called the
ADA to get a ruling or a conversation from them that this building should not even be opened to
the public when you’re not, when you start renovating as long as this building was left whole
before we touched it at all it was okay. But once we touched this building we had to make by
law to make this building handicapped accessible. That’s the first thing we did not do and
everybody acts like everything is fine. We’ve got no business even being in this chamber when
those doors can’t be even opened by a handicapped person or a person with a disability. When
that microphone there when someone had to come in it’s not even conducive for someone in a
wheelchair or maybe not even the height of Sylvia Cooper’s head right now to even reach that
microphone. So there’s a lot of stuff that we sit here and act like it’s going to go away. It’s not
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going to go away and there’s laws to protect people like that that once we touch this building and
if the group that’s been doing this work didn’t know that, I’m sure we’re hired the wrong group
anyway but if they didn’t know that then we really hired the wrong group. As long as this
building was left whole we had no problem. But once we started to make those changes the
federal law says that we had to do those things. And we ain’t got to like it ---
Mr. Mayor: I’ll give you another two.
Mr. Williams: --- yes, sir, I need two more. We don’t have to appreciate it, we don’t
have to like it, but that’s what the law says that this building should be handicapped accessible.
And who in their right mind would put this money into a building and not even consider the
handicapped accessibility even for this dias. If you had to get up here, Grady, in a wheelchair or
anything else you couldn’t do it. And if an elected person got elected up here and they couldn’t
do it. So not just down there but up here this building is not once we touched this building and
any blind man could’ve seen that that should’ve been done and nobody talks about it. So I plan
to pursue it I plan to stay on it, Mr. Mayor, and I think my colleagues need to realize how
important this is and quite pointing fingers and really go ahead and call a spade a spade.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Donnie Smith, Commissioner Guilfoyle then
Commissioner Grady Smith.
Mr. D. Smith: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Tameka we, I brought this up a while back and I
didn’t ever hear back from ya’ll. Certainly in my mind the goal for us to give Engineering some
more space and that entailed getting the Legal Department out of the building that they are in.
And it is pretty apparent to me that we built in the Mayor’s office over there an office out front
that we don’t have anybody to staff. And to me there are two offices that were built for the
Commissioners to use individually and there’s space that extends towards the elevator that’s just
empty space right now that would require some sheetrock which is about $20.00 a sheet and
some other stuff to enclose that. And I cannot understand why we can’t modify that outdoor,
that outside office for the Mayor’s office there to accommodate the two Administrative
Assistants we have from the Administrator’s office to man that for the public. And then those
two offices and come on down that wing and be modified for the Deputy Administrator and the
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Administrator at such a small cost which then would free up the Administrator’s space on the 9
floor for the Legal Department. Can somebody tell me why that doesn’t fit into the plan because
it’s relatively cheap and it’s relatively quick?
Ms. Allen: We did discuss that with Heery and part of what we were looking at you
would actually have to lose for the Administrator’s office they would actually have to move the
conference room and they would actually lose an office space in order to accommodate that area.
Mr. D. Smith: There are two conference rooms when you walk right out the front door of
that office that I’m talking about that I just can’t seem to I mean to me it is it is so simple that
that would be an answer and it would just not cost very much money at all to put up some
sheetrock and build an additional office in an empty space that’s just right now simply empty
space. So I don’t know but that seems to me that would be a very inexpensive solution and that
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would allow Legal to go to the 9 floor and it would help Engineering. But, you know, I’m just
an elected official I’m not a construction manager. Thank you.
Mr. Mayor: And I’m just going to go out on a limb here and hazard a guess that the
Commission is not approve money in the upcoming budget for the Mayor’s office to staff that
space that currently sits empty. That’s probably a pretty safe bet.
Mr. D. Smith: I think that’s probably a pretty safe bet.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Guilfoyle.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. You know, I’m sitting here listening again the
reason why we are behind schedule we’re finding faults. You know this whole thing in a
nutshell the departments that was affected by one department is four or five departments. Is that
correct?
Ms. Allen: Yes, well, I would probably say it’s more than that because the other
department’s schedules have been modified.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Right for the accommodation for one.
Mr. Williams: What one is that?
Mr. Guilfoyle: Where we had moved the Clerk’s office to the where the attorney is going
that threw everything off on this schedule. We actually, this body stopped the progress of the
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construction on the 8 and 9 floor and that’s the reason why we had a Special Called Meeting
last week.
Ms. Allen: Yes, sir.
Mr. Guilfoyle: We’re doing it to ourselves.
Mr. Williams: No, we’re not.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Okay, we’re not but you know the whole thing about moving the Clerk
into that one office it was the least costly way of doing it.
Ms. Allen: Out of the options that were presented, yes, sir.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Even though we already had a 4200 square foot office that has to be
renovated for the accommodation of the new tenant coming in it was actually set up for the
Attorney?
Ms. Allen: The space that the Clerk of Commission is moving into ---
Mr. Guilfoyle: Yes, ma’am.
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Ms. Allen: --- if I understand it correctly was set up for the Law Department, yes, sir.
Mr. Guilfoyle: And it was completed, finished.
Ms. Allen: Yes, sir.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Okay, that costs money. This office over here costs money to have ready
for the Clerk to come into move into.
Ms. Allen: Yes, sir.
Mr. Guilfoyle: So we actually, I don’t know if anybody’s thinking my mindset you’ve
got a 4,200 square foot office that’s not going to be utilized as far as the whole thing so 4,200 she
actually comes from a 1,078 square foot and moving into a 4,200 square foot with three
employees it’s not going to happen. I know that there’s going to be expansion in the future but
the way this finance is in this government it’s not going to happen either. But as far as moving
forward ---
Mr. Mayor: I’ll give you another two.
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Mr. Guilfoyle: --- thank you, Mr. Mayor, as far as moving forward on the 8 and 9
floor, what do we need to do as a body?
Ms. Allen: We need some direction as to whether or not you guys want to approve us to
go ahead and proceed as scheduled with the remaining departments which would mean there
would not be any alterations outside of what is being done to accommodate the Clerk of
Commission’s move. If we can get that approval today we can keep within the tentative
schedule now that Heery and Turner have worked out in order to keep the project going.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Okay, so as you know right now we’re at a six week delay. If it doesn’t
pass again we go ---
Ms. Allen: You’re adding additional weeks, yes, sir.
Mr. Guilfoyle: --- into a seven week eight week.
Ms. Allen: You’re potentially adding additional delays.
Mr. Guilfoyle: All right. I’d like to make a motion to take the recommendation of the
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Administrator to go ahead and move forward on the 8 and 9 floor.
Ms. Allen: And that would be no changes to the Law Department and any others it
would just be as is with everything else.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Right.
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Mr. Mason: Second.
Mr. Mayor: We have a motion that’s been made and properly seconded. Commissioner
Grady Smith then Commissioner Williams then Commissioner Fennoy. Please come in that
order.
Mr. G. Smith: I just, I’d like to know, you know, what happened during this period about
a year two years ago when all this was on the design table and everything. And then all of a
sudden a year goes by putting up walls, paint and wallpaper, carpet and everything and then all
of a sudden we’ve got folks saying hey, this isn’t going to suit me. Where were all these people?
Mr. Williams: What are you talking about, Grady?
Mr. G. Smith: Say what?
Mr. Williams: What people are you talking about?
Mr. G. Smith: What people am I talking about?
Mr. Williams: Yeah.
Mr. G. Smith: Who do we employ?
Mr. Mayor: Through the chair, gentlemen.
Mr. G. Smith: Somebody has to direct the architect, the engineers on what we want and
all of a sudden we spent what back in 2000 when I got in. In 2010 we’re sitting here talking
about this I looked at some plans and, you know, I gave my opinion. But anyway and then here
we are three years later and the fingers start going left and right. Where were these people in
these areas that were satisfied or not satisfied? What wasn’t it brought up then? And then we’re
trying to throw it on somebody else.
Mr. Williams: I don’t know what people you’re talking about ---
Mr. G. Smith: I know what I’m talking about when you’re saying we need to get rid of
Heery.
Mr. Mayor: Gentlemen.
Mr. G. Smith: Well, you must be saying something about it.
Mr. Mayor: Come on now.
Mr. G. Smith: You’re pointing at them.
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Mr. Williams: I’m telling you that there’s they have not ---
Mr. Mayor: I haven’t recognized you, Commissioner Williams. Wait because you’re
next on the list to be recognized.
Mr. G. Smith: And I’m saying this you know to be fair, fair is a two way road. You need
to dad gum watch out where you’re pointing because you’ve got a chain of command even in
construction. And I’ll tell you what things go wrong you’ve only got one person that takes the
heat. Usually that would be either the Mayor, the Administrator or somebody at the top, the top
man.
Mr. Mayor: Which ---
Mr. G. Smith: The buck stops here.
Mr. Mayor: Which I would point out ---
Mr. G. Smith: All of a sudden we’ve got the buck going in several directions. I’m sitting
here and then you have a man over there that’s blaming Heery for the whole thing. I just I don’t
think, I say let’s be fair but I can’t understand where the timeline went and now we’ve got all this
extra money it’s costing us. Somebody didn’t do their job several didn’t do their job I guess
when we’re talking about this kind of money.
Mr. Mayor: Well, and Commissioner Smith, I would say this goes back to something
that we discussed in the retreat. When we have a form of government with no centralized
authority there is no centralized accountability. And it leads to finger pointing and, you know,
where does the buck stop? I agree with you it ought to stop at the Mayor’s office or stop in the
Administrator’s office.
Mr. G. Smith: Well, Mr. Mayor, I know you can’t be everywhere and at everything but
and also construction is not your expertise. That’s why we pay these other folks and to be
involved. And I’m just saying is, you know, I’m just I just got aware that something happened
there’s a void spacing there somewhere ---
Mr. Mayor: I’ll give you another two.
Mr. G. Smith: --- and the people show up, you know, you’re late and saying I’m not
satisfied with my space. I don’t like the color of my carpet, my wallpaper has dogs on it and I
like cats. I mean ---
Mr. Mayor: Okay.
Mr. G. Smith: --- I just and then to say Heery is not doing the job and everything I don’t
care whether it’s Heery or several other firms in town whoever it might be you can’t get down to
that point of the chain of command and blame them. It’s not right.
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Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams.
Mr. Williams: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I don’t care whether Grady like cats, dogs or
chickens, it don’t make no difference with me. I’m telling you that this facility, this facility is
not being addressed by the law. And if you’re paying a project manager, that’s their job. There
ain’t nobody in this room I mean that’s their job to get and they’ve gotten paid since 2004 to do
project manager work.
Mr. G. Smith: I, I ---
Mr. Williams: And when you build, I’m talking, Grady.
Mr. G. Smith: Okay, go ahead.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Williams has the floor.
Mr. Williams: But when you pay a company to do a job they need to do that. You’re
talking about employees, Grady, you’re talking about the people that work for you and the ones
that go fishing. You’ve got people that are going to go fishing on their job there too. But this
job is not completed there is not handicapped accessible. The Clerk that you’re referring to a
little while ago that you didn’t call was communicating a year or so ago even when she was out
and got emails to prove it and brought it to this body and nobody acknowledged that. You act
like she never said a word until she got back today and was working while she was sick. And
then putting it in her box over there out of all these offices in this building that’s the only box
that you can go in and it can’t turn around. Now Commissioner Smith brought up a good point.
There’s a hallway down here with the Mayor’s reception and two other conference rooms that
nobody’s using. Wasted space and you ain’t, I’m not going to sit here and pay nobody
taxpayers’ money to mess it up. And I think Heery done messed it up and I’m going to keep it
on the agenda until I get enough votes to fire them.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Commissioner Williams. Commissioner Fennoy.
Mr. Fennoy: Ms. Allen.
Ms. Allen: Yes sir.
Mr. Fennoy: We’re already running six months behind, I mean six weeks behind.
Ms. Allen: Yes, sir.
Mr. Fennoy: Okay, hypothetical, if we decided to get rid of Heery, how far behind would
that delay the project?
Ms. Allen: I’m not sure really because we will be working without a project manager
who’s been the one coordinating back and forth with our construction company. So that, I’d
have to come back to you on that one.
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Mr. Fennoy: And I guess my next question we already have an additional costs of
$600,000 dollars to make the changes?
Ms. Allen: Roughly around $501,000 dollars I recall.
Mr. Fennoy: Okay and I guess if we worked without a project manager would that cost
go up or go down?
Ms. Allen: I would assume that it would probably go up because you won’t have
anybody, actually you have internal staff. However it goes back to what I think Commissioner
Smith was saying, you won’t have anybody who has the construction background to coordinate
the actions that are being done.
Mr. Fennoy: And I guess my last question is everything, everything that the various the
various stages that we are in now as far as construction and renovations concerned was it
approved by anybody?
Ms. Allen: As far as the original plans they were approved by the previous
Administrator, yes, sir.
Mr. Fennoy: Okay.
Ms. Allen: The previous plans that were approved for the entire building and each of the
respective floors were actually allocated for each of the respective floors. Now each respective
department head did approve their respective space and communicated that back with the
Administrator.
Mr. Fennoy: Okay. All right, that’s all I have.
Mr. Mayor: Okay, Commissioner Grady Smith, I’ve recognized you two times for two
minutes. I’ll give you one more.
Mr. G. Smith: One more minute. Okay and that’s what I was leading to was who
originally signed off on it. And then do we have the ox’s in the ditch now. What do we, we’ve
got these ducks in a row now to get it out and move forward or are we going to have we get
something done now and then six weeks from now we say uh, oh that wasn’t done the right way.
Who’s approving what we’re doing now?
Ms. Allen: This body because we’re going to make sure we keep this body abreast of
what’s going on as it relates to the project and that’s why we’re coming to you today to ask that
we can, your approval to go ahead and continue as is with the rest of the departments being
where they’re currently laid out with the Law Department staying in their respective area and the
of course Engineering not moving out or anything else. And everybody else being allocated
based on this tentative schedule that was presented.
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Mr. Guilfoyle: Mr. Mayor, have we got a motion?
Mr. Mayor: We’ve got a, yeah we do have a motion to approve that’s been made and
properly seconded.
Mr. G. Smith: I want to say one more thing. So in other words we’re set now got it the
way and so we’re going to move forward, right without any glitch or anything.
Ms. Allen: We’re going to keep our fingers crossed but the plan is every two weeks to at
least every two weeks to at least once a month to provide the Commission with an update on
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where we currently are on this project. But with your approval today in regards to the 9 floor
nothing being modified, moving it, you know, everybody respectively where they were
scheduled except for the Law Department which will be staying in their current location.
Everything else will be done as ---
Mr. Guilfoyle: Thank you, Tameka.
Ms. Allen: --- recommended.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Call for the question.
Mr. Mayor: Is the Commission ready to vote? Do we have any, okay and I would just
say that I would encourage passage because we all know that sometimes actions cost money but
so does inaction. So we need to move forward. If there’s no further discussion the question’s
been called for ---
Mr. Mason: Roll call vote, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: Roll call vote, Madam Clerk.
Mr. Mason: Let’s just see where we’re at.
Mr. Mayor: Let’s just make it fun here at the end.
The Clerk: Ms. Davis.
Ms. Davis: Yes.
The Clerk: Mr. Fennoy.
Mr. Fennoy: Repeat the motion please.
The Clerk: It was to approve the recommended plan that was given by Ms. Allen ---
Mr. Fennoy: Yes.
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The Clerk: --- and to move forward. Mr. Guilfoyle.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Jackson.
Mr. Jackson: Yes, ma’am.
The Clerk: Mr. Johnson’s out. Mr. Lockett’s out. Mr. Mason.
Mr. Mason: Yes.
The Clerk: Mr. Donnie Smith.
Mr. D. Smith: Yes.
The Clerk: Mr. Grady Smith.
Mr. G. Smith: Yes.
Mr. Mason: There we go, let’s show some unity here.
The Clerk: And, Mr. Williams is out.
Mr. Johnson, Mr. Lockett and Mr. Williams out.
Motion Passes 7-0.
Ms. Allen: Thank you.
Mr. Mayor: Thank you, Ms. Allen. Madam Clerk, our final agenda item.
The Clerk:
ENGINEERING SERVICES
54. Environmental Services Department Update on Solid Waste Collection fees for Vacant
Lots. (No recommendation from Engineering Services Committee May 27, 2014; referred
thth
from the June 3, 2014 to June 17 to July 7 Commission meeting) (Requested by
Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle)
Mr. Mayor: Mr. Johnson. And keep it to three minutes, please.
Mr. Mason: Second.
Mr. D. Smith: We don’t know what we’re approving yet.
Mr. Mason: Second.
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Mr. Mayor: No, Mr. Johnson. Are you waiting for it to come up?
Mr. Johnson: It’s up. The policy as drafted has provided some heartburn in a couple of
areas. We took the vacant lots and we also took the opportunity to fix some other issues as well.
The document in number one, okay. So under Service Types. This would’ve been the first year
that condominiums were included. That has generated some challenges for us as it is one
common building on, it’s a common building with multiple tenants on one parcel. So we are
recommending that those stay commercial as they have been historically. The second one fixes
our definitions to townhome so that they stay concurrent with the way that they have been
historically. So we just provided two definitions to get back to what we did last year.
Ms. Davis: Can I ask a quick question, Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Davis.
Ms. Davis: When you’re talking about those two the condominiums and the townhouses
exactly what was the change I mean as far as the money the amount?
Mr. Johnson: The money doesn’t change. Condominiums in the prior year were not
included. That is one big building where you own just a little bit of space.
Ms. Davis: Right.
Mr. Johnson: You do not own the land. Townhomes are attached single family homes
where you own the land and the structure so we have the wrong word in the wrong spot. We’re
cleaning that up so it’s concurrent with what we’ve previously done.
Ms. Davis: Okay.
Mr. Johnson: In item three Unoccupied Locations so we’ve defined it below and the
areas that we’ve done is basically I’ve said if it’s uninhabitable, if it’s a structure that has been
uninhabitable due to fire, flood or other natural disaster a property which has fallen out of
compliance with the moth ball ordinance, originally that said if it was part of the moth ball
ordinance but we want to incentify people to do it right not have consequences if they don’t so
and the property has been (unintelligible) is considered uninhabitable. So basically if you have a
structure, a rundown structure, where we’re probably going to end up picking up debris then you
would be included. If you’re an active participant in compliance with the moth ball ordinance
we would let you out and we have specifically removed if there’s no dwelling. So if there’s not a
residential structure there it is out. And then number four these are some things that my staff
came to me with. ‘A’ was the moth ball and ‘B’ was we had about ten people last year who
ended up owning their home and went on active deployment and no one was there. We want to
be able to temporarily suspend those people so that they’re not required to pay for services which
were not rendered. It’s a very small subset but we think that’s the right thing to do.
Mr. G. Smith: (inaudible).
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Mr. Johnson: It you are deployed and no one is occupying your home.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Guilfoyle.
Mr. Guilfoyle: Yes, I think Joe Jackson was the maker of that motion. I would just like
if he could just put the word in the updated policy versus motion to approve.
Mr. Mayor: Motion to approve the changes to the policy as recommended by the Solid
Waste Director.
Mr. Jackson: Yes (inaudible).
Mr. Mayor: That’s your motion, Commissioner Jackson? And your second,
Commissioner Smith?
Mr. G. Smith: Second.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Jackson then Commissioner Fennoy.
Mr. Jackson: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I guess one follow up is when is this going to is
this part of this whole getting us into the tax billing this season?
Mr. Johnson: This goes into effect for this year’s billing.
Mr. Jackson: Okay.
Mr. Johnson: So we have generated exceptions on both sides. So if it didn’t pass we
would go with Option ‘A’. If this did pass we go with Option ‘B’. So we’re sitting on data once
we get the direction we will plug that data in and move forward.
Mr. Jackson: Thank you, Mark. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Fennoy.
Mr. Fennoy: Just for clarity, Mark, if there’s a vacant lot then the $165.00 you don’t
have to pay.
Mr. Johnson: If it is a vacant lot with no structure, you would not have to pay.
Mr. Fennoy: Okay. Now if you have a vacant lot but no structure and you have received
a tax, the $155.00, will you automatically take that off or do I need to say Mr. Johnson there’s no
house or no structure on this lot?
Mr. Johnson: What will end up happening is we have created a file of as many vacant
lots with abandoned structures that would meet this criteria and a bunch that do not. I’ve had
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people working on this since this became a topic. If there is one that we missed that ended up
getting charged with the $155.00, it can either come to our department and we will proactively
fix it and send those changes to the tax commissioner who sends out an amended or a revised
bill. Or when they go to pay their taxes they say I am dispute of these charges. That’s a vacant
lot and they will collect all of the other monies. And the tax commissioner sends it to us to us for
refute. So there’s two different mechanisms to do that.
Mr. Fennoy: Okay.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. Commissioner Smith.
Mr. D. Smith: I’ll be brief, thank you, Mr. Mayor. All right, Mark, I want to be clear
because this person called me up on the phone. They own a home and they own the lot next door
to them and there’s not a house on the lot. It’s four lots.
Mr. Johnson: It’s the same thing that was before you as the delegation that had the house
and then they had a vacant lot next door to them as their parking area. We will not deal with the
parking area, we would deal with the house.
Mr. D. Smith: So I can assure this couple that called me this morning that they’re not
going to have to pay the $155.00.
Mr. Johnson: Not on the other three vacant lots. If it’s where the structure is, they will.
Mr. D. Smith: Okay.
Mr. Johnson: And if you would be kind enough to provide me those four parcel numbers
I can get that done.
Mr. D. Smith: Thank you, Mark.
Mr. Mayor: I think Commissioner Smith will be so kind.
Ms. Davis: Mr. Mayor, one more thing ---
Mr. Mayor: Commissioner Davis.
Ms. Davis: --- just for the townhouses. I have a lot of those as far as the cost so what
will be on their tax form if they’re in a townhouse?
Mr. Johnson: If they are in a townhome then and we are providing them services they
would be charged $310.50.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. There’s been a motion and a proper second. If there’s no further
discussion Commissioners will now vote by the usual sign of voting.
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Mr. Guilfoyle: Madam Clerk, would you count me as a yes please?
The Clerk: Yes, sir, I will.
Mr. Johnson, Mr. Williams and Mr. Lockett out.
Motion Passes 7-0.
Mr. Mayor: Okay. With no further business to come before the body we stand
adjourned.
[MEETING ADJOURNED]
Nancy Morawski
Deputy Clerk of Commission
CERTIFICATION:
I, Lena J. Bonner, Clerk of Commission, hereby certify that the above is a true and correct copy
of the minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Augusta Richmond County Commission held on
July 15, 2014.
____________________________________
Clerk of Commission
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